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

African Amrican Fire Firefighters Museum (AAFFM)
"Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms: African American Women's Legacy in the Fire Service.

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. 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
  2. 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

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."

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada