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Department of Public Safety
Barb Pikesly and Donna Karcher Retire
Pikesly was the 1st female Dispatcher and 1st female Senior Fire Equipment Dispatcher for the St. Louis Fire Department
This article is 14 years old. It was published on January 1, 2011.
Barb Pikesly (pictured left) and Donna Karcher celebrated their retirement from the St. Louis Fire Department on Dec. 14, 2010.
Barb Pikesly began her career with the City in September of 1971 at City Hospital. She started at Fire Alarm as a Fire Equipment Dispatcher in August of 1977, the first woman to do so. Pikesly promoted up through the ranks and retired as a Senior Fire Equipment Dispatcher, again the first woman to hold that position with the Department.
Donna Karcher started her career with the City in the Department of Personnel in March of 1968. She then worked a short time in the Corrections Division before transferring to Fire Alarm in 1973. Karcher became a Fire Equipment Dispatcher in 1987 and continued in that position until her retirement.
The City of St. Louis thanks Barb and Donna for their service, dedication and commitment to the citizens of our great City. Best wishes for a happy retirement!
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