KILL DEATH CELK – Jackie Lam participates Detroit Fire Department a few years ago because of the department’s reputation as the best of the best. And without even knowing it, Lam has done more than just put out fires, but instead pave the way for future generations to follow in her footsteps.
It’s one thing to be a female firefighter. Not many of them, but what about an Asian-American female firefighter? That’s something DFD hasn’t seen in its 162-year history until Jackie Lam came along.
Lam has been with the Detroit Fire Department for two and a half years, moving from California to start her career.
“So the Detroit Fire Department has a reputation as one of the best fire agencies in the entire world,” Lam said. “So I wanted to be a part of it. Most other departments don’t fight as aggressively as the Detroit Fire Department, and I just want to be part of the best. “
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But to get in the best part, you have to be the best and be able to keep up. Although most of the firefighters are male, Lang knows she can pass all the tests to earn her badge.
“I didn’t know it was an option for the longest time,” Lam said. “I suppose it’s just the guy’s job. But I think it’s one of those things that you told me I couldn’t do something about. I will try my best to do that. So I tried my best, and I got there.”
“There is always a competition,” said Lt. Richard Halsell of the Detroit Fire Department. “But she bought the next level competition because she was doing what her 6-foot, 200-pound friends were doing.
It wasn’t until she left for work one day that a new colleague pointed out that Lam was the first Asian-American female firefighter the DFD had ever seen.
“He was like, “you realize that, right,” Lam said. “I said, ‘no, I don’t know. “
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Lam says she loves representing her Asian heritage in the department and hopes young women and Asian women look at her and know they can do the job.
“I mean, Metro Detroit There’s a huge Asian population, and I want those women to know that they can do the job, too,” Lam said. “And I have a daughter myself, and I want her to know that if she works hard and prepares for the job as if she can do whatever she wants.”
Lt. Halsell said he saw Lam as a role model for young women. He has two daughters who always talk about what she does. So Lam changed the perception of what a Detroit firefighter looks like.
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