Shelley Carter, a Hartford native, is Hamden's next assistant fire chief.

Shelley Carter, an experienced firefighter, will start serving in her new job in an acting capacity on January 26, 2024, until the Hamden Legislative Council approves her appointment. She is the first Black woman to become assistant fire chief in Hamden.

Her goal is to be the first and invite other incredible women and people of color to join her. She is filling a position that has been vacant for almost 18 months.