Dante Booker has always had a heart of service. A passion for helping people. Being there in their time of need.
“That’s what we’d like to pride ourselves on,” Booker said. “Treating people like we want our family members treated.”
After working in finance for a number of years, Dominica Pierce desired a different career path, one that allowed her to work closer with people, including co-workers. Not that it’s an easy task at a fire station; one siren can change any to-do list.
“So we have to be able to think on the fly,” she said. “We have to be able to make adjustments and kind of adapt with the flow.”
These Akron firefighters took unique paths to get to the new Fire Station 12 on Sunday afternoon for an open house event. But through intense training, belief in themselves and their peers and a commitment to the community, Pierce and Booker — lieutenants with the Akron Fire Department — represent two of the city’s present and future first responder leaders.
The jewel of Akron is its people. They’re vibrant and resilient. Flawed, yet thoughtful and nurturing. And all of them come with compelling stories. That’s why we launched “Akron in 330.” This series offers a glimpse into everyday folks’ journeys across our many neighborhoods — 330 words at a time. Know someone we should consider? Tell us here.
Booker and Pierce joined their peers over the weekend to welcome hundreds to the event on South Hawkins Avenue in Ward 4. The new fire station, a 16,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, cost approximately $9.5 million.
“It’s been a dream job,” said Booker, who has served as a firefighter for more than a decade.
Highlights of the station’s design include individual living quarters, a commercial-grade kitchen, fitness room, equipment decontamination facilities, an air drying hose tower and detox sauna pods.
Booker’s background in sports helped him transition to a career as a first responder. He’s a former Ellet High School sports standout who later played at Auburn before a stint in the NFL and Canadian Football League.
Pierce said it’s a privilege to be an African American woman in her profession because there aren’t many others. She believes her role is inspirational to others, showing them that women bring different attributes to the job that makes it easier for everyone.