"Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms: African American Women's Legacy in the Fire Service.

African Amrican Fire Firefighters Museum (AAFFM)

Tune in to our podcast, where African-American women firefighters/paramedics share their own words, recounting their awe-inspiring journey, challenges, and impact on the fire service. Through their firsthand accounts, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for their resilience, uncover the layers of history they've shaped, and recognize their transformative role in this vital profession."

Episodes

  1. The First D'Lisa Davies

    Episode 1

    The First D'Lisa Davies

    Discover the remarkable journey of D'Lisa Davies, a trailblazing Black woman who made history as the first to attain firefighter certification within the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Through this episode, D'Lisa intimately recounts her experiences, offering profound insights into the challenges and triumphs she faced. She provides a unique perspective on how her groundbreaking achievement resonated within her family and community. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of D'Lisa's resilience and the lasting influence of her LAFD journey, shedding light on the path she paved for future generations and the transformative power of diversity in firefighting.00:00 Introduction to Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms00:42 Meet d'Lisa Davies: A Trailblazer in the Fire Service01:47 d'Lisa's Early Life and Education02:45 Military Service and Transition to Firefighting04:23 Challenges and Triumphs in the Fire Service10:21 Mentorship and Ongoing Contributions13:38 Reflections on Recruitment and Training17:34 Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges18:50 Challenges of Early Female Firefighters19:49 Encouraging Women to Join the Fire Department21:09 Overcoming Barriers and Making a Statement23:37 Retirement and New Ventures24:19 Journey to Joining the Fire Department25:55 Memorable Assignments and Experiences30:56 Legal Challenges and High-Level Operations35:50 Final Thoughts and Legacy

    25 min
  2. Karen Slider her journey with the LAFD

    Episode 2

    Karen Slider her journey with the LAFD

    Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms: The Legacy of Karen Lasley Slider In this episode of 'Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms,' guest host d'Lisa Davies, a retired fire captain, interviews Karen Lasley Slider, the second Black female firefighter for the City of Los Angeles and a retired firefighter paramedic. Karen shares her challenging journey to becoming a firefighter, recounting her experiences in the male-dominated field, her determination in overcoming physical and systemic barriers, and her impactful contributions such as advocating for better family support policies and recruitment of more women in the fire service. The podcast provides a candid look into her life, the challenges faced by African American women in firefighting, and the importance of representation and support from within the community. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:03 Meet Karen Lasley Slider01:26 Karen's Journey to Becoming a Firefighter03:49 Challenges and Determination06:37 Medical Background and Family Support09:18 Fire Station Life and Gender Dynamics16:07 Contributions and Policy Changes19:22 Hair Standards and Personal Experiences21:45 Defying Expectations: Writing the Rules22:21 Mentorship and Training Challenges23:58 Proving Competence Under Pressure25:33 Celebrating Women in Fire Service27:13 Reflections on Career and Contributions30:39 Life After Retirement34:56 Addressing PTSD and Mental Health38:39 Final Thoughts and Future Hopes39:48 Visit the African American Firefighting Museum Creators & Guests D'Lisa Davies - Host Karen Slider - Guest Sydney Breakfield - Designer Michael Slider - Producer

    27 min
  3. Chief Tiffany Green

    Episode 4

    Chief Tiffany Green

    Blazing Trails with Fire Chief Tiffany Green: Insights from a Pioneering African American Woman in the Fire Service In this episode of 'Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms' by the African American Firefighters Museum, host Karen Slider interviews Tiffany Green, the first black woman to lead the Prince George's County Fire Department in Maryland. Chief Green shares her journey from volunteering to becoming a paid firefighter, the challenges she faced as a woman and mother in a male-dominated field, and the importance of visible role models and targeted recruitment for women in the fire service. She also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firefighter staffing and offers advice for young women considering a career in the fire service. The episode closes with an invitation to visit the African American Firefighters Museum in Los Angeles. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:44 Meet Fire Chief Tiffany Green02:00 Balancing Motherhood and Firefighting05:44 Journey to Becoming a Firefighter06:51 Volunteer vs. Paid Firefighting11:44 Challenges and Triumphs14:39 Reflections and Future Aspirations16:32 Closing Remarks and Museum InformationCreators & Guests Karen Slider - Host Michael Slider - Producer Chief Tiffany Green - Guest D'Lisa Davies - Producer Sydney Breakfield - Designer

    18 min
  4. Captain Brittney Baker

    Episode 5

    Captain Brittney Baker

    Breaking Barriers: Captain Brittney Baker on Her Journey in the Fire Service In this episode of 'Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms,' hosted by Karen Slider, a retired Los Angeles City Fire Department firefighter-paramedic Brittney Baker, the first Black female captain of the St. Paul, Minnesota Fire Department, shares her inspiring journey. Baker discusses her initial aspirations, the pivotal moments leading her to the fire service, and her extensive education and training. She addresses the challenges she faced, including dealing with family tragedies, navigating a largely male-dominated environment, and mentoring the next generation. Baker's story is a testament to resilience and dedication, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and representation in the fire service. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:00 Meet Captain Brittney Baker 01:32 Brittney's Journey in the Fire Service 02:17 Challenges and Triumphs 05:15 Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Others 07:45 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 13:23 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome 17:08 Addressing Misconceptions and Application Process 17:41 Apprenticeship and Training Requirements 18:14 Department Support and Benefits 19:18 Paramedic School and Financial Support 21:39 Career Pathways and Opportunities 23:21 Challenges and Rewards in Public Service 24:22 Personal Achievements and Inspirations 25:15 Support for Pregnant Women and Parental Leave 28:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 29:51 Closing Remarks and Museum Information Creators & Guests Michael Slider - Producer Karen Slider - Host Capt. Brittney Baker - Guest D'Lisa Davies - Producer

    28 min
  5. Alexis Kendricks - Specialist LA County Fire Department

    Episode 6

    Alexis Kendricks - Specialist LA County Fire Department

    Here’s a podcast show note based on the transcript you provided: 🎙️ Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms — Episode: "A Fire Within: The Alexis Kendricks Story" Presented by: African American Firefighters Museum Host: Karen Slider Guest: Alexis Kendricks, Fire Specialist, Los Angeles County Fire Department Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, host Karen Slider sits down with Fire Specialist Alexis Kendricks for an inspiring and candid conversation about resilience, representation, and redefining success as a Black woman in the fire service. From her early days as a college basketball star at the University of Georgia to playing professionally in Serbia, where she faced cultural shock and racial ignorance, Alexis shares the moments that shaped her. We follow her journey from overseas courts to LA fire stations, highlighting how a chance encounter at a career fair sparked a new path of public service. Alexis opens up about overcoming the challenges of joining a male-dominated profession, the importance of mentorship, and her current mission to inspire the next generation through youth outreach like the Girls Fire Camp. Key Topics: Cultural and racial experiences abroad as a Black woman athleteTransitioning from sports to firefightingThe long road to joining the fire service post-recessionMicro aggressions, mentorship, and staying the courseRecruitment, representation, and empowering young women of colorAlexis’s perspective on beauty, femininity, and strength in uniformMedia portrayal of women firefighters and ideas for changeQuotes: “Sometimes you just have to outwork everybody—when you don’t know everything, you show up and grind.” – Alexis Kendricks “Even if they don’t become firefighters, at least they know they have options. That’s what we want our girls to see.”Resources & Mentions: Girls Fire Camp (Ages 9–18): Learn more and register via the LA County Fire Department recruitment page.African American Firefighters Museum: Located at 1401 Central Ave, Los Angeles. Open Sundays 1–4 PM. Info: (213) 744-1730.Would you like this formatted for a blog post or podcast directory (like Apple or Spotify)?

    38 min

  6. 08/24/2023

    Trailer "Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms: African American Women's Legacy in the Fire Service.

    Greetings, I'm Karen Slider, a retired firefighter/paramedic from the Los Angeles city Fire Department. I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the host of an exciting new podcast titled: "Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms: African American Women's Legacy in the Fire Service." Get a sneak peek of the incredible stories that await in our short trailer. Thank you for tuning in!

    3 min

Trailer

About

Tune in to our podcast, where African-American women firefighters/paramedics share their own words, recounting their awe-inspiring journey, challenges, and impact on the fire service. Through their firsthand accounts, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for their resilience, uncover the layers of history they've shaped, and recognize their transformative role in this vital profession."

Information

  • Creator
    African Amrican Fire Firefighters Museum (AAFFM)
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 African Amrican Fire Firefighters Museum (AAFFM)