More than 300,000 professional firefighters work in the United States. The Labor Department reports that more than 90 percent of all professional firefighters work for local government. Firefighters fight active fires or make emergency medical calls as a result of accidental injury or disasters. Firefighters save lives and millions of dollars a year in property damage.
To work in Texas as a paid firefighter, you have to earn a Texas “basic structure fire suppression” certificate, finish a basic firefighter training program, show that they can perform basic firefighting skills, pass the state certification test and finish emergency medical responder training.
Firefighters put their lives on the line for the safety of others daily. This stands true for Prairie View A&M University’s own Lieutenant Michellina Olivas. Olivas has taken her dedication in serving the community to a higher level. She has a number of ‘firsts’ attributed to her success. The El Paso, Texas native is a first generation (first gen) college graduate. Receiving a degree in Biology from Prairie View A&M University is a result of her hard academic dedication. Michellina aspires to attend medical school, but her passion for firefighting has put that desire on hold.
Michellina Olivas at Prairie View Fire Station
Olivas reflects her love for sports brought her to Prairie View and being a walk-on for the university’s softball team was the force motivating the 10-hour drive. As a student volunteering with the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MIPS) and Mentoring Incoming Freshmen (MIF) changed her as a person.
Olivas has committed nearly 3 years to the Prairie View Fire Department, breaking barriers by becoming the first female lieutenant within the department. More recently she has become the first paid female firefighter in Waller County, as she is now a lieutenant with Station 6 in Katy, Texas, where is also the first PVAMU graduate to attain this accomplishment.
Michellina reflects Hurricane Harvey as the event that has had the most impact on her. Seeing the effects of the storm on citizens, made living at the station during the aftermath a no-brainer, assisting families when and wherever she could. This experience also warranted her to expand her 
resume by becoming swift water rescue certified.
When asked how was she introduced to become a firefighter, Olivas admits, “I was getting into trouble and got into firefighting by accident.” She recalls that being assigned community service at Prairie View’s Fire Station, and the Panthers at Work program, developed her passion and intrigued her interest in firefighting. The young lieutenant is very humble regarding her accomplishments. “She scored the highest score ever on the state test,” exclaimed Prairie View Fire Chief Frank Jackson. “We’re proud of her as she has a bright and promising future ahead of her.”
Olivas’ motto is ‘Doing God’s work on God’s time’
Author: Maurice Perkins