Tiarna-Ann is 25 years old and has been a firefighter for almost a year now. Currently stationed at Wimbledon fire station, Tiarna-Ann is an international champion powerlifter who has had brain surgery to successfully treat severe epilepsy and suffers with a disease called endometriosis.
“Passing my post-surgery medical was one of my toughest but most personally motivating experiences. I am also 5’1 and female, which is still seen by many as a disadvantage in lots of physical fields today. I wanted to motivate and inspire others to overcome whatever obstacles they faced, after facing my own.”
“The best thing about my job is showing people how capable and strong black women are, it’s still very rare to see a black female firefighter and a lot of people don’t even realise we’re present and representing. To be out and about in my community, wearing my uniform/fire gear and performing my job is extremely important to me. I have also introduced a few black women to the job. They are now operational firefighters so that has also been a huge highlight for me.”