VIDEO: Jackie Lam joined the Detroit Fire Department a few years ago because of the department’s reputation of being the best of the best. And without even knowing it, Lam ended up doing a lot more than just fighting fires as she instead paved the way for future generations to follow in her footsteps.
It’s one thing to be a female firefighter. There are not many of them, but what about a female Asian American firefighter? That’s something the DFD hadn’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 of being one of the best fire departments in the whole world,” said Lam. “So I wanted to be a part of it. Most other departments don’t get to fight as aggressively as the Detroit Fire Department, and I just wanted to be part of the best.”