Emily Peraria’s path to being the first female president in the history of the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co. has been paved with hard work and family tradition as well as the experience and knowledge of those who went before her.

A fourth-generation firefighter, Peraria knew her father volunteered with the fire company but wasn’t exposed to the fire service or related opportunities at a young age. Her decision to join was motivated by her desire to make a difference in her community and to give her life a purpose, the Barnegat Light resident said.

“I didn’t know anything (about firefighting) when I got here,” she said.