Twana Allen, a 14-year veteran of the Baltimore County Fire Department who works out of the Randallstown station, has been sworn in as the first African-American woman to attain the rank of fire lieutenant.
Though promoted in October, she was officially sworn in to the position in November, as part of a ceremony at the Randallstown Community Center recognizing some 78 other fire and EMS personnel who earned promotions. County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Fire Chief John Hohman presided over the ceremony.
A native of New Jersey, Fire Lieutenant Allen began her career as a first responder as a volunteer at the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Company. In 2001, she then became an EMT at Station 18, Randallstown, as was promoted to paramedic the following year. In 2009 she became a fire specialist.
Twenty percent of county fire department’s sworn members are women –well above the national average, according to Baltimore County. Minorities also make up 20 percent of the department.