Battalion Chief Felicia Barnes has been a member of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue for over 21 years.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Felicia Barnes continues to make history. On Tuesday, she was promoted to battalion chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, becoming the first African-American woman to hold the title.
She says she is eternally grateful to the people who helped her along the way.
“I’m really humbled and honored that I’ve had this opportunity,” she said with emotion in her voice. “There’s so many people that poured into and supported me throughout my whole career, which has just allowed me this time to help make sure that I’ve been successful and gotten this far.”
Battalion Chief Barnes has been a member of the department for over 21 years. Before becoming a firefighter, she served as a police officer with the Fairfax County Police Department.
Since graduating in 2002, she has worked in various roles throughout the department, and served as a firefighter in Fairfax and Merrifield. After transferring to the Fire and Rescue Training Academy, Barnes worked with recruits in basic training. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2008 and served as an officer in communications. After reaching the rank of captain, Banes worked in the 911 dispatch center and as captain of the Fire Prevention Section.
In 2020, she became the first African-American woman to be promoted to safety officer. Most recently, Barnes served as Fire Station 37, Kingstowne, making it the first fire station in Fairfax County to have all three shifts led by women.
At the same time, Barnes acted as vice president of the Progressive Firefighters of Fairfax County, One Fairfax Equity Lead, CAD2CAD Committee Chair, and track and field coordinator for the 2015 World Police and Fire Games.
She hopes her journey is inspirational to little girls, even if their goals look a little different from what people are used to.
“Whether what they see in front of them right now doesn’t reflect what they look like, that they can just achieve it and be whoever they desire to be,” she said.
The battalion chief is usually the highest-ranking officer on duty. They are responsible for creating work schedules and managing fire station personnel.
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