Beverly Thedford-McGinnis

Beverly McGinnis (born April 1958) is chief of Battalion 4 for the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.

McGinnis has been a firefighter since 1989, when she became the first black woman hired by the department. She moved through the ranks, being the first black woman to achieve lieutenant, apparatus operator, captain, and in 2007, became the first female chief.

McGinnis spent 5 years in the Army, then went to work for the BFRS. She didn't pass her first physical, but came back 8 weeks later and passed. She began her firefighting career at Station 16 in Ensley.

She is currently chief of Battalion 4, which consists of 7 stations in east Birmingham.

McGinnis is also a registered nurse, and works a few days a week at Children's Hospital.

References

• Robinson, Carol (July 20, 2008) "Fire battalion chief blazes Birmingham trail." Birmingham News.