Hartford native is New England’s first Black female fire chief
At a pinning ceremony at the State Capitol Wednesday not far from where she grew up, Shelly L. Carter was sworn in as the first Black female fire chief in all of New England.
Carter, who is now chief of the Department of Developmental Services, based out of the Southbury Training School, is retired from the Hartford Fire Department where she was the first Black female captain in suppression and the first female African American fire captain in operations in the state’s history.
In 2015, Carter also founded the Girls Future Firefighter Camp for girls ages 13-18 to experience first-hand a career in public safety.
After achieving those goals, Carter set her sights on becoming chief and paving the way for those who might come after her.
But growing up in Hartford’s North End — a proud graduate of Fox Middle school and Weaver High School — Carter said she hadn’t planned to become a firefighter.
“I was not introduced to the fire service. I didn’t grow up wanting to become a firefighter. It seemed that the fire service kind of sought me out. My faith in God and how he has ordained my steps is the reason I made it to this beautiful state Capitol today,” she said.
“I answered the call for over 22 years to protect and serve people at the worst days of their lives, not just in Hartford, but wherever I found myself facing someone who needed my help.”
She applauded the firefighters at DDS and said they would grow together.
“As a servant tasked with overseeing the protection of individuals, staff, and families of some of our most vulnerable, amazing humans. I am humbled to be the person leading [the Department of Developmental Services] fire fighters, as we protect our individuals,” she said.
Carter thanked her family, mentors, and leaders in the fire service, acknowledging that she stands as an example of the many women, men, and women of color who serve daily without recognition.
Lastly, she gave special recognition to her mother, Leona Wilson and the first women firefighters hired in the city of Hartford, Zandra Clay Watley and Maria Ortiz.
She spoke directly to Watley, thanking her for paving the way for her achievement.
“Today, I pave the way for the next female fire chief. I am the first, but will work my entire life to ensure that I am not the last,” she said.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and others cheered Carter’s accomplishment as Women’s History Month comes to a close.
“I just have to say how proud I am to say that we make history in Connecticut to swear in the first Black female fire chief — not only in Connecticut, but in New England. Shelly Carter, congratulations!,” she said.
She also said that while public servants in recent years have faced many challenges that are unprecedented and unique, she knows that Carter is the right person for the job.
“[Carter] is the person that has the experience, the leadership ability, and the readiness to face anything that comes before her. Your new fire chief is uniquely positioned to make the most of this moment and knows what it takes to do the job and has a career of public safety experience behind her, not just at the municipal level, but at the state level as well,” she said.
Gov. Ned Lamont also congratulated Carter for being a model for others.
“I want every single young woman, I want every single person of color to know we need you, we need you desperately. We need you as a firefighter…,” he said.
“You can see how you lead by example…what that means for the firefighter school, what that means for every young girl — regardless of background, you can do this too. It’s one thing to be the very first. It’s even better to be the very first of many. And thanks to you, you’ll be the very first of many. Congratulations. So proud of you,” he said.
Speaking after the ceremony, Watley said seeing Carter honored was an incredible moment.
“It’s historic. I’m overwhelmed and ever so proud. If anyone deserves the position of chief, it’s Shelly Carter,” she said.