Paramedic Firefighter Damonique Evans (Recruit Class 21-01) joined Mobile Fire-Rescue earlier this year. After completing Fire School and becoming an Alabama certified firefighter, she makes history as the first black woman to serve as Paramedic Firefighter for the City of Mobile!
We could not be any more proud of her dedication and accomplishment. FF Evans earned her spot, just as all Mobile firefighters before her.
“Although the fire industry has historically been a male-dominated field, we [Mobile Fire-Rescue Department] are experiencing a culture shift and changing perceptions of what a firefighter should be. As we progress toward the future of the fire/EMS service, we want women to recognize that our doors are open for them, as well, says Fire Chief Jeremy Lami.
In the last four years, MFRD has hired as many women as it has in the past three decades. That's no coincidence. Under the leadership of Fire Chief Jeremy Lami and Recruiting Director Tony McCarron, we are continuing to bring greater diversity to MFRD so the department can better reflect the citizens it serves.
Evans encourages more women to step outside of their comfort zones and chase a calling. She says, "I hope to see more women do the same thing, if they want to ... If you can see or envision yourself doing it, really, it's already done. You just have to get it done."
Our hope is that stories like Damonique Evans’ will show others that MFRD is open to everyone and they too can pursue a career as a first responder if they’re brave enough to answer the call.
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