Twin Firefighters Make History in Lexington

Erin and Ashley Lucas become the first Black female twin firefighters in the Lexington Fire Department.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In a historic first for the Lexington Fire Department, twin sisters Erin and Ashley Lucas have become the department's first Black female firefighters. The 35-year-old twins are trailblazers in the male-dominated field of firefighting, and are proud to be making history during Black History Month.

Why it matters

The inclusion of Black women in the fire service is an important milestone, as the profession has traditionally been dominated by white men. The Lucas sisters' achievement highlights the progress being made towards greater diversity and representation in public safety roles.

The details

Erin is stationed at Station 1, while Ashley is at Station 14. The twins have distinct memories of their time on the job, with Ashley recalling a favorite shift working an ambulance together, and Erin reminiscing about winning the Combat Challenge Team competition twice. Despite the challenges of being female firefighters, the Lucas sisters say they don't focus on their gender, but rather on pursuing their dreams and goals.

  • The Lucas twins will turn 35 years old in March 2026.
  • Erin and Ashley Lucas became the first Black female firefighters in the Lexington Fire Department's history in 2026.

The players

Erin Lucas

One of the twin firefighters who made history as the first Black female firefighters in the Lexington Fire Department.

Ashley Lucas

One of the twin firefighters who made history as the first Black female firefighters in the Lexington Fire Department.

Lexington Fire Department

The fire department in Lexington, Kentucky that hired Erin and Ashley Lucas as its first Black female firefighters.

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What they’re saying

“I don't really look at it like that, being a female, working hard, you have dreams you have goals.”

— Erin Lucas, Firefighter (wbir.com)

“When we were babies our parents had to have bracelets to tell us apart.”

— Ashley Lucas, Firefighter (wbir.com)

What’s next

The Lexington Fire Department plans to celebrate Erin and Ashley Lucas' historic achievement during a special ceremony on March 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The trailblazing careers of Erin and Ashley Lucas as the first Black female firefighters in the Lexington Fire Department's history demonstrate the progress being made towards greater diversity and representation in public safety roles. Their accomplishment serves as an inspiration for young women, especially those from underrepresented communities, to pursue their dreams of serving their communities as firefighters.