She’s blazing a trail!
Tamica Barnett just made history as the first Black female firefighter to rank Lieutenant in Syracuse, New York, CNYCentral reports.
Barnett just made history as the first Black Woman firefighter to rank Lieutenant in Syracuse, New York. Barnett holds a degree in business from St. Bonaventure and then went on to join the Syracuse Fire Department. She worked her way through the ranks and now has a historic appointment.
“It’s one thing to have the role; it’s a whole other aspect to do the job. I’m determined…I want to be effective; I want to be a good lieutenant. I want to be a leader and make sure everybody goes home,” Barnett said.
The Syracuse native has a passion for the work and plans to allow that to show up in her role as a lieutenant. She said she comes alive on the job and plans to continue giving back to the community that she is already so active in. She works as a firefighter and as the elected commissioner of the Syracuse school’s Board of Education.
“We enjoy being there for people on their worst days. When they need us, they call 911, we respond. The feeling that you get is hard to describe, but there’s definitely an adrenaline rush. We definitely want to be there to support people in their times of need,” Barnett said.
As a lieutenant, Barnett will be responsible for overseeing a team and supporting several firehouse stations in the city. Fire Chief Michael Monds, who made history as the first Black Fire Chief in Syracuse, has put much effort into diversifying the department. He knows all too well the challenges of being the first. And said he’s proud of the new lieutenant’s accomplishment.
“It’s a historic thing, not an easy accomplishment. There’s a lot of responsibility to it. Being the first Black female to attain that is something special,” Monds said.
Barnett begins her new role on May 17th and is committed to being an “efficient and effective lieutenant.”
Congratulations, Lieutenant Barnett!
Photo Courtesy of CNYCentral