Firefighter becomes first African-American promoted in NJ fire department's history
LINDEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey fire department promoted its first African-American firefighter on Wednesday.
Anthony Holland was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, becoming the first African-American officer to hold that rank in the Linden Fire Department's 104-year history.
The socially distanced ceremony was held in front of family and friends, during which Holland took the oath for his new position.
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Holland, who has been in the department since 2013, says the promotion was an honor.
"It's a great opportunity for leadership, I'm just looking to be a role model for other young men and women growing up to see someone that looks like them and that they can do it too, so I just look to strive to be a role model for everybody," Holland said.
Holland says he hopes to continue to move up in the ranks within the department.
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