First Female Battalion Chief in Lansing Fire Department History

The Lansing Fire Department has their first female battalion chief, and her name is Shawn Deprez.  Deprez, a 22 year veteran, is the first female in the department's history to achieve that rank.

The new battalion chief is one of three in the department, ranking below only the chief and two assistant chiefs.

Battalion chiefs are in charge of all of the city's firefighters on duty for 24 hour shifts, a minimum of 41 people.

Deprez worked her way through the ranks, all while raising her daughter as a single parent with the help of her extended family.  The Lansing State Journal has more.