Introduction. Modern gender relations are based on the myth of the primary functional duty of women and men. The gender stereotype of professional self-realization is based on the dominant role of men in society. However, history knows many examples when women, on a par with men, took part in various activities, including such specific ones as extinguishing fires and eliminating the consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes.. Today, women have already proven that they are able to professionally and efficiently execute the operative tasks. Besides women are characterized by greater emotionality, sensitivity, patience and the ability to listen; all these features help in solving work tasks and conflict situations.The purpose of the research is to analyze the gender features of women's professional self-realization in fire and rescue units. Methods. To achieve the aim and the tasks of the research a complex of interrelated research methods is used, the choice of which is caused by the content of the given problem: theoretical – analysis, synthesis, systematization and generalization of the data from the literary sources.Originality. The scientific novelty of the article is a comprehensive study of gender peculiarities of professional self-realization of women in fire and rescue units. Determination of the professional motives of women to serve in fire and rescue units: guaranteed employment, stable material support, social protection, the possibility of earlier retirement, the possibility of professional self-realization.The practical significance of scientific work is to overcome the gender stereotypes in high-risk professions.Conclusion. The considered gender peculiarities of women's professional self-realization in fire and rescue units show the women's desire for self-realization in activities that for many years remained just male type of activity, but now are undergoing active transformation. At the same time, the existing gender system, despite significant progress, has numerous discriminatory features, especially in the post-Soviet space. The feminization of fire and rescue services around the world continues and has both general development trends and specific features of this phenomenon, which depend on the traditions and culture of the region.At present, it is important to intensify the gender research on the problems of different types of professional activities and develop on their basis practical recommendations for work with different categories of firefighters. In our opinion, it is time to introduce a gender training course in the establishments of higher education. This will provide future professionals with knowledge about the mental and physical characteristics of men and women, the specifics of educational work depending on the gender.