Perseverance pays off for Mpls firefighter, now interim chief

The City of Minneapolis Fire Department has appointed Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker, a 27-year department veteran, as interim chief, making her the first Black woman to lead the department.

Her appointment follows the retirement of former Chief Bryan Tyner. Rucker brings decades of experience to the role, having served as a firefighter, captain, and assistant fire chief.

Becoming a firefighter was not Rucker’s initial career goal. She earned a scholarship for chemical engineering before later switching her studies to nursing at the University of Minnesota. At the time, she balanced work, school, and caring for her young child while searching for a stable career path.

Rucker said she first learned about an opening with the Minneapolis Fire Department through a KMOJ radio message aimed at increasing diversity in the department. “I was on my way home to pick up my child when I heard they were hiring, looking for women and diversity, and talking about the medical and physical parts,” Rucker said. “I thought maybe I could do that.”

At the time, Rucker had no prior connection to fire service and did not personally know any firefighters. She drove around North Minneapolis looking for fire stations where applications were available.

“I didn’t know anything about being a firefighter, and it’s not a profession known for African Americans, Black people, or women either,” she said.

Rucker described walking into a station as the only young Black woman in the room, surrounded by longtime firefighters. The hiring process was competitive, involving written and physical exams.

“Muscles hurt that I didn’t even know existed. I was discouraged,” she said. “I saw several people in volunteer uniforms saying it was their third or fourth attempt in the process.”

She did not pass the physical exam on her first attempt. Despite discouragement and doubts from others, Rucker persevered. “If I looked at the naysayers, I was like, ‘I’m never going to get this job,’ but I kept pursuing it,” she said.

Rucker returned the following year, successfully completing the testing process. She later received a call asking if she was still interested in joining the department. “They called me out of the blue asking, ‘Do you still want to be a firefighter?’ I said yes.” 

Once on the job, Rucker found herself motivated by serving the community, especially during emergencies. “When you’re going into a situation at someone’s home during some of the worst moments of their life, and they see you, that can set them at ease,” she said. 

“I’m able to give back to my people.”

Rucker acknowledged that being a Black woman in fire service comes with challenges. Women were not allowed to join the department until the early 1980s, and people of color historically faced barriers entering the profession.

“Being a Black woman, and a woman in the fire department, it wasn’t easy, but I didn’t let that stop me,” she said.

As interim chief, Rucker said her focus is on maintaining the level of service the community expects while ensuring firefighters’ safety. She emphasized teamwork within the department.

She also highlighted the importance of representation, mentorship, and community outreach. Rucker said she makes it a priority to be visible in the community and to support programs that introduce young people to careers in fire and emergency medical services.

“You see it, you can be it,” she said. “I want young people to look at me and think, ‘If she did it, I can do it.’”

Rucker remains committed to the department during the transition period, ensuring it continues to operate as a unified team while the city searches for a permanent chief. 

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student