ST PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul Fire Department has two dates that could be considered its beginnings. The city council recognized the department in 1855, and in 1877, SPFD became a paid department.
Despite over a century and a half of history, there's still firsts happening — including just last month.
Brittney Baker is the first Black woman to be a captain with the department in SPFD history.
"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 said.
Baker is a lifelong resident of St. Paul.
"I still have family that live in Rondo," she said. "My parents live about a half a mile, literally, from, you know, north to where we are now."
Baker originally wanted to be a pediatric oncologist, after her sister passed from cancer. After going to EMS academy, she decided that was actually her calling.
"Started my journey in 2012 through the EMS academy, which is what I currently teach for the department," Baker said. "Been teaching for 11 years."
Baker admits that the limelight that comes with being the first isn't what she's used to, but recognizes that there are those who look up to her.
"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 the ambulance and coming to help my family."
"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 continued.
Her advice for those looking to get into this career is simple — don't give up.
"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," Baker said. "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."
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: