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Recognition April 8, 2020

Parent Hero Spotlight: BCFD Lieutenant Keturah Wyatt, parent of a BDS 6th grade scholar and on the front lines

If you or your family are a BDS parent/caregiver currently serving as a 1st responder and would like to share your story, please contact Chris Frederick at clfrederick@bcps.k12.md.us.

Lieutenant  Keturah Wyatt –EMS4  – Baltimore City Fire Department

We are hearing from a lot of our families regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their lives. While many are sheltering in place and dealing with all of the implications of having a house full of family 24/7, there are others that are out there protecting us all, at the expense of their home life. Some choose not to come home at the end of the day to protect, and others don’t have a choice, and take a risk every time they return to their family. We are keeping everyone in our thoughts, hearts and prayers, and want to shine the spotlight on our BDS Heroes.

Our first spotlight is on Ms. Keturah Wyatt, parent of a BDS 6th grade scholar and on the front lines for Baltimore. Lt. Wyatt shared a little of what she does and the impact our current state has had on her family:

“As an EMS supervisor with the Baltimore City Fire Department, my duty is to keep my members, myself, and the community safe.  We are working very hard to keep the members and the public informed about COVID-19.  Every day we are putting orders into effect to ensure that the members are safe, and to make sure that we will have the resources available to handle the higher call volume anticipated at the peak of COVID-19.
I put in a lot of hours at work.  COVID has put stress on my family because I have not been able to spend time with my daughter since the beginning of COVID.  It is very possible that I could infect my daughter if she stayed with me, so she is staying with my parents.   At a time like this I am needed to do my job, so I must go to work.  I miss her very much, but I am glad she is safe with my parents.   I have always been interested in saving lives, and community outreach.  My job with the Fire Department allows me to the opportunity to serve in many ways.  The best part about my job is that I can be available to help people when they need it most.  Of course when I applied for the job, my grandfather was a firefighter.  I was excited to follow in his footsteps by doing something that he also loved.  When I got hired, my grandfather had already died, but I feel proud when I hear all the wonderful stories about him.  He lives on in the hearts of many.”

The Baltimore Sun did an article in 2001 on Lt. Wyatt’s grandfather, Littleton Wyatt, one of the 1st African American firefighters in Baltimore. Click here to read. Mr. Littleton B. Wyatt, Sr., a 47-year-veteran of the department assigned to Engine Company No. 29, passed away the following year, according to a 2006 article from the Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore City Fire Dept dedicated the station at 4312 Park Heights Ave in his honor, now known as the Littleton B.Wyatt SR Fire Station.  He would, no doubt be proud of his granddaughter.

If you or your family are a BDS parent/caregiver currently serving as a 1st responder and would like to share your story, please contact Chris Frederick at clfrederick@bcps.k12.md.us.