The Wilmington Fire Department recently announced the promotion of one of its firefighters.
 
Rick Pearsall was promoted to assistant chief in late July, according to a release from the Wilmington Fire Department.
 
Pearsall has been with the fire department for nearly 27 years and is the second-known African American to reach the rank of assistant chief in the Wilmington Fire Department, officials said. He will oversee operations on “A” shift in his new assignment.  
 
Pearsall began his fire service career in 1990 and has held a variety of positions including operations battalion chief, hazardous materials coordinator and chief of training.
 
Pearsall holds a bachelor of science degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University. He previously served on the department’s Technical Rescue/USAR team and has been a member of the Hazardous Materials Team for more than 24 years.