BY STEVE THOMAS

According to a story published Thursday by New York Daily News, two female African American veterans of the New York City Fire Department, Tonya Boyd and Cheryl Middleton, will make history by being promoted to the position of division chief today, Friday.

Tonya Boyd, a 25-year veteran of the New York Fire Department, already made history by becoming the first African American deputy chief in 2017. According to reporter Leonard Greene, the pioneering fire chief’s tenure as deputy chief saw several notable improvements to the service, including the department now being equipped with stretchers to absorb the weight of heavy patients, and equipment to protect EMTs if they were caught in a fire.

Boyd, now 53, makes no mystery of her excitement about the upcoming promotion to now become division chief, being quoted as saying: “It’s something I look forward to. The best part of the job is just motivating and inspiring members.”

It wasn’t too long after Boyd’s promotion in 2017 when another African American climbed to the same position: 57-year-old Cheryl Middleton who totals 33 years of service with EMS, before the EMS became part of the FDNY. Middleton, who enthusiastically welcomed the promotion, saying she’s humbled, says “It’s very special,” and not just for her. She is also quoted as saying: “Since my promotion was announced, so many people are telling me how proud they are of me. They tell me I’m a role model and they look up to me. But it’s not enough to make the news and reach the rank. I have to represent.”

Adding to the historical dimension of the promotion of these two pioneers, they will receive the honor, during the promotion ceremony to be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, from another historical figure, Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, the first woman to lead the FDNY since its inception in 1865.