Founder

Shelly L. Carter is retired from the City of Hartford Fire Department and is currently the Operations & Training Manager for the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 

As a firefighter she was assigned to Engine Company 9 where she worked as a structural firefighter until she was promoted to Pump Operator in December 2011. Having to prove herself among a predominately male role, she began to reach for higher success. Later Shelly was the assigned Driver/Engineer to Engine Company 10 and Engine Company 16. In August 2015 P.O. Carter was promoted to Lieutenant in the Fire Marshal’s office where she was working as a Fire Prevention Lieutenant, Arson Investigator and Fire Code Official. Lieutenant Carter was detailed to the Special Services Division as well as the Training Division as in instructor.  On May 21st, 2019 Lieutenant Carter was promoted to Captain Executive Officer. She is now House Captain @ Engine Company 5

In pursuing advancement of her career Captain Shelly Carter has obtained numerous certifications such as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Service Instructor I, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Hazmat Operational, National Incident Management Systems, Station Evaluator, Incident Safety Officer, National Fire Academy Leadership, Confined Space Training, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Pump Operations and Certified Fire Investigator and Code Enforcement Official. In addition Captain Carter is a graduate of the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University. She maintains active memberships with several professional and trade organizations. Captain Carter is 1 of a small number of black female officers in the state of Connecticut, less than 2% are African America. Captain Carter was the first African American female instructor to be hired at the Connecticut State Fire Academy.  Captain Carter was promoted on May 21,2019. She is now the first black female Captain in Suppression for the Hartford Fire Department.

In 2015 Captain Carter founded the Girls Future Firefighter Camp. This camp, being the first of its kind in the State of Connecticut, is an interactive camp for girls ages 13-18 to experience first-hand a career in public safety. GFFC certifies young women in CPR, AED, and babysitting through the American Red Cross. The camp also gives an introduction to several aspects of the fire service, to include but not limited to the following: pump operations, ladder operations, hose line operations, tool familiarization, first aide, confined space, situational awareness, arson investigation, fire code enforcement, and EMT and paramedic training. This year she has added Life Star doctors, nurses and emergency room medicine.

Shelly is the youngest daughter of Pastor Leona Wilson of Hartford, CT. She is a member of Crown of Glory COGIC in Hartford, CT. She was the first Female Lieutenant and is the first Captain in the COGIC organization . Captain Carter is married to retired Firefighter Brainard ”B.C” Carter. Together they have seven children and five grandchildren. On Sunday’s you will find Captain Carter serving as her church’s Young Women’s Christian Council President, a choir member, a member of the Pastors Aide committee, and she assists with the Youth Ministry. Shelly is also a part time optician and photographer. 

Finally, Captain Carter has an Associates degree in Journalism, and Photography, a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and a Masters degree in Public Administration. 

“CAVU”

“Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited” George H. W. Bush

“You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” Les Brown

“To God Be The Glory For The Things He Has Done!” –Shelly