JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For most people, the sound of an alarm and the sight of smoke represent a crisis to be fled. For Jacksonville firefighter Kamiya Baulmer, it is a call to run toward the danger. While her career path might seem paradoxical to some, Baulmer insists it is a deliberate, lifelong evolution—one that began with a life-altering tragedy when she was just nine years old.
On May 29, 2007, a childhood experiment with rubbing alcohol and toilet tissue turned catastrophic. Within seconds, Baulmer was engulfed in flames. The resulting burns were severe, leading to a medically induced coma and a grueling two-month recovery period. She endured painful skin grafts and rigorous medical treatments, supported by her family and the Ronald McDonald House.
Yet, even in the depths of her recovery, her resolve was unbreakable. Baulmer recalls her father sharing the first words she spoke upon waking from her coma: “I want to live. I just want to live.”
Those words served as a mantra that carried her through years of physical and emotional healing, including attending burn camps designed to help survivors reclaim their sense of self. Years later, that drive eventually led her to the front lines of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
“Something just sparked in me, and I realized, okay, maybe I can do this,” Baulmer said. “I think this also—not knowing where this would take me—this is the route God would want me to take.”
For Baulmer, being a firefighter is more than a profession; it is a way to bridge her past with her purpose. She believes her unique perspective as a survivor gives her an edge in community safety, particularly when it comes to education. Having learned the consequences of playing with fire firsthand, she is deeply committed to ensuring other children do not have to face the same trauma.
As the nation observes Fire Prevention Week, Baulmer is using her story as a platform to urge parents to prioritize fire safety within the home. She warns that a one-time lesson is often insufficient and stresses that ongoing, consistent communication is the key to preventing similar accidents.
“Even if your child knows what to do, keep them informed,” Baulmer said. “Always ask them—every other week or monthly—check in that they know what to do in case of an emergency, especially when it comes to fire.”
From a child who survived the unthinkable to a first responder who now protects her community, Baulmer’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the vital importance of fire safety education.
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