Historic Milestone: Trenton Fire Department Celebrates Largest Promotional Class, Paving the Way for Diversity in Leadership

Trenton’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services celebrated a milestone in its history as it held a promotional ceremony that promoted its first female captain, Capt. Melissa Bergen, as well as multiple African American chief officers.

The event, held at War Memorial Patriots Theater on Friday, March 14th on the department’s 133rd anniversary, recognized 29 firefighters who advanced in rank, marking a significant step forward in the department’s ongoing efforts toward inclusivity and representation.

Firefighter Kristie McNeill-Free, who has been with the department for 18 years, commends the department for its commitment to diversity and said having people of color in these positions is beneficial for the City of Trenton.

Department Director Kenneth Douglas said, “These women who [have] trailblazed their way to blue-collar jobs that were predominantly taken by men or done by men, [have shown] the fact that the women can do it too. It is something very great.”

Director Douglas emphasized the importance of having a department that reflects its community but said putting people into leadership positions can be difficult because of individual interests and leadership requirements.

Kenya Witherspoon, niece of Battalion Chief Anthony Ross, said that Ross worked extremely hard in the previous years to get the position.

She said, “For the youth coming up, they’ll see an African American Chief, and that will give them inspiration to keep going in those positions.” 

From another perspective, Douglas highlights the challenges of maintaining a well-staffed and productive department, from recruiting new officers, to receiving crucial funding to keep personnel and equipment running smoothly.

He said, “If [the department] was lacking something, I had to find a way to get it. You talk about increasing manpower, increasing improved equipment that we had, improving the fire trucks, improving training, fixing up the firehouses…all that stuff is highly expensive, and it gets beat up because of the work we do.”

Director Douglas mentioned the effort he has previously put into advertising and recruitment, purchasing billboards in English and Spanish, handing out thousands of flyers, and going to local schools to educate students about the roles within the department.

He credits his success to the support of Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, Business Administrator Maria Richardson, the members of the Trenton Fire and Emergency Department, and the local community.

With assistance from the NJ Department of Community Affairs Local Government Services Division, Douglas had been able to maintain and even improve staffing. Despite the challenges of getting adequate funding, the department continues to be a beacon of public safety, going out and talking to communities about how to reduce fires and how to better protect themselves from the dangers of fire.

As the ceremony concluded, the newly promoted officers stood proudly before their families, colleagues, and community members, marking a significant moment in Trenton’s history. The promotions not only recognized their dedication and hard work but also symbolized a broader shift toward greater inclusivity within the fire department. 

The event served as a reminder that representation in leadership matters and that progress is being made to ensure the department reflects the diverse city it serves.

Looking ahead, Director Douglas reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a department that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and provides growth opportunities. He emphasized that while diversity in leadership is a major achievement, the work is far from over, and ongoing efforts in recruitment, training, and mentorship will be crucial in maintaining this progress.

Douglas said, “If you’re thinking about [joining the department], even a little bit, go to your local firehouse and talk to the firefighters. Go to look,  don’t assume anything. Just go to the firehouse and talk to the firefighters, and they can tell you how great of a job it is.”