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Recognizing Brittney Baker for her historical promotion to Captain in the Saint Paul Fire Department.
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WHEREAS, Brittney Baker is a life-long resident of our city, growing up in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood where her family still resides; and
WHEREAS, She is a proud graduate of Central High School, Inver Hills Community College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program, and soon to be graduate in Emergency Management, Homeland Security program at Columbus Southern University from the Homeland Security Program in Emergency Management; and
WHEREAS, Brittney Baker began her career in 2012 by attending the Saint Paul Fire EMS Academy, and began working in the Basic Life Support Unit, Regions Emergency Medical Services, and Mercy Hospital in the Emergency Department; and
WHEREAS, She became has continued as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nurse Assistant and First Responder since 2012; and
WHEREAS, Brittney Baker is a National Registered Medical Technician Paramedic registered in Minnesota and Wisconsin since 2015. She holds certification in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazmat, Fire Investigator, Fire Equipment Officer, and Officer I through the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Boards; and
WHEREAS, She is passionate about “Not just opening the door, but making sure the door never closes again,” through teaching and instruction. She is an Instructor for the Department of Transportation, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Heartsaver, Fire I, Fire II and Live Burn, in addition to a proud Girl Scout Troop Leader for Troop #58306; and
WHEREAS, Brittney Baker is also currently instructing the Saint Paul Fire Department EMS Academy with two former EMS Academy graduates and assisting First Responder, EMT, and Paramedic classes at Century College; and
WHEREAS, She is the former Secretary and now President of Firefighters United, Secretary of the North Central Regions of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, Board Member of Saint Paul Fire Department Fire Foundation, and a Member of a special task force committed to ending adolescent drug use alongside the Saint Paul Police Department, Saint Paul Fire Department, and Saint Paul Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, During Women’s History Month, we acknowledge trailblazers and pioneers such as Brittney Baker,drawing upon inspiration from a challenge coin from Chief Toni Washington from Decatur Fire who has stated that she doesn’t believe in just breaking the ceiling but shattering it. It has always been her hope to shift paradigms and encourage people to be themselves by recognizing their assets and not liabilities in society. Her accomplishments inspire those around her to also go after what they desire in spite of challenges and barriers; and
WHEREAS, Brittney Baker is a 2021 National Association of EMS Physicians Scholarship Award Winner, 2022 International Association of Firefighters Local 21 Paul Barratt Award Winner, 2022 Hallie Q. Brown Hero Award Winner, 2022 Minnesota 100 Firefighter of the Year, 2023 Sanneh Foundation Stephanie Dillon Inspiration Award Winner, 2023 International Associations of Black Professional Firefighters Chief Jones Scholarship Award; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council recognizes Brittney Baker’s succession within the Saint Paul Fire Department as Basic Life Support in 2012, Firefighter in 2018, Fire Equipment Operator in 2023 and, now in 2024, Saint Paul Fire Department Captain; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the historic all-woman, majority women of color Saint Paul City Council congratulates Captain Brittney Baker as she makes local history as the First Black Woman Captain in the Saint Paul Fire Department.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby proclaims, Wednesday, March 27,2024, to be Brittney Baker Day in the City of Saint Paul.