Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms: The Legacy of Karen Lasley Slider

In this episode of 'Blazing Trails and Breaking Norms,' guest host d'Lisa Davies, a retired fire captain, interviews Karen Lasley Slider, the second Black female firefighter for the City of Los Angeles and a retired firefighter paramedic. Karen shares her challenging journey to becoming a firefighter, recounting her experiences in the male-dominated field, her determination in overcoming physical and systemic barriers, and her impactful contributions such as advocating for better family support policies and recruitment of more women in the fire service. The podcast provides a candid look into her life, the challenges faced by African American women in firefighting, and the importance of representation and support from within the community.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:03 Meet Karen Lasley Slider
01:26 Karen's Journey to Becoming a Firefighter
03:49 Challenges and Determination
06:37 Medical Background and Family Support
09:18 Fire Station Life and Gender Dynamics
16:07 Contributions and Policy Changes
19:22 Hair Standards and Personal Experiences
21:45 Defying Expectations: Writing the Rules
22:21 Mentorship and Training Challenges
23:58 Proving Competence Under Pressure
25:33 Celebrating Women in Fire Service
27:13 Reflections on Career and Contributions
30:39 Life After Retirement
34:56 Addressing PTSD and Mental Health
38:39 Final Thoughts and Future Hopes
39:48 Visit the African American Firefighting Museum

Creators & Guests

• D'Lisa Davies - Host
• Karen Slider - Guest
• Sydney Breakfield - Designer
• Michael Slider - Producer