The image of a firefighter is often male, but the FDNY wants to change that. NY1's Erin Clarke filed this report on how the FDNY is reaching out to women, showing them that firefighting is not only a man's job.

There are 10,500 city firefighters. Forty-three of them are women.

"In New York City there's eight million people. We know that there's more than 43 women in the city that are qualified enough and interested in becoming a firefighter. So we're here to just kind of break the mythology," said Siryna Srisakul, president of United Women Firefighters.

Tracy Lewis is the second African American female to become a lieutenant. She remembers reading articles about the first, Ella McNair, and says McNair as well as other females in the department, inspired her to become one of New York's bravest.

"I have a lot of mentors in this department. I've learned so much from them," said Lewis.

Saturday she shared that knowledge with several hundred women who turned out for an FDNY Women's History Month event aimed at reaching out to those who have expressed interest in joining the department.

Potential candidates said seeing so many female officers was encouraging.

"Until today I have never spoken to a female firefighter, so this is a blessing to be here," said potential FDNY candidate Dawn Davis.

"I proud to see that I can become a firefighter because I'm a woman," said Laura Acosta, another potential candidate.

The departnemtn offered more than just mingling and presentations at the event. The group also got their hands dirty, getting a taste of training drills recruits actually do.

The drills exposed female candidates to some of things they would be do on the job and showed them with just a little bit of training, they are capable of doing it too.

"I did a car fire. I forced a door open. I can do this, so it's like motivation for them," said Srisakul.

"It made me feel good. I actually want to do it now. By coming here. By being here for the few minutes that we're here, it's really interesting," said Renee Douglas, 15.

The fire department hopes this event proves to women that this job is for them.