Kanen Blackwell started in the fire service as a junior firefighter. He has been a full-time firefighter for 10 years. Blackwell currently is a firefighter/AEMT with the Baton Rouge, LA, Fire Department (BRFD), assigned to Engine 1, having transferred to the BRFD from a small, neighboring department in 2021. He is a rope rescue instructor, grant writer, member of Louisiana Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2 and Honor Guard member.