Trailblazer Rises Through The Ranks
Brittney Baker has shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first African American woman to achieve the rank of captain.
Her promotion, which took place last month, marks a significant milestone in the department’s history, dating back to its inception in 1855.
For Baker, a lifelong resident of St. Paul, her journey to the captaincy was not driven by a desire to be the first but rather a personal goal she had set for herself.
Born from a childhood dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist after her sister’s battle with cancer, Baker’s path took an unexpected turn when she attended the EMS academy.
“It wasn’t necessarily to be the first that was so big for me, it was like, ‘OK, I accomplished the goal that I had,’” Baker told KARE11.
Inspiring the Next Generation
While the spotlight of being the first may be unfamiliar territory, Baker understands the profound impact she can have as a role model.
Her achievement has the power to inspire others, especially young individuals who may have previously doubted their own potential.
“People tell me, like, I wanted to do this, I wanted to be a firefighter, I wanted to be a paramedic, and I didn’t know I could do it,” she said. “I didn’t think I could do it until I saw you walk across the stage at your fire graduation, or when I saw you getting out of the ambulance and coming to help my family.”
A Mission to Pave the Way for Others
Recognizing her responsibility to inspire others, Baker has made it her mission to ensure that she won’t be the last Black woman to achieve this milestone.
She spends more time in the community than at the St. Paul Fire Department headquarters, showing her community what a firefighter looks like and serving as a living example of what is possible.
“Just remembering that I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for everybody else that doesn’t think that they can do it,” Baker added.
Overcoming Challenges and Seeking Mentorship
Baker’s journey has not been without its challenges.
As one of only four Black female firefighters in St. Paul, she recalls the academy being a demanding experience, where she had to seek mentorship from outside sources to navigate the unique challenges she faced as a woman of color in a traditionally male-dominated field.
A Genuine Heart for Service
Steve Sampson, the assistant chief of emergency medical services at the St. Paul Fire Department, commended Baker’s dedication and authenticity, saying,
“Everything she does is genuine and purely in the name of service. She’s an incredible role model for not only like folks out in the community but for our other department members and for me, myself.”
For those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Baker offers words of wisdom:
“Being the first is not easy. Sometimes being last is not easy. Sometimes being the second is not easy. But it’s something that you want to do. Don’t think about being the first, don’t think about being the second, don’t think about which number you are in it, go for what you want to do.”
