PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- David Costa was sworn in as this city's fire chief on Tuesday, calling the promotion the ``pinnacle'' of his years of service in the department.
Costa had served as acting assistant chief of operations for almost a year. He succeeds Gary Mulcahy, who has served as acting chief since former Chief James Rattigan retired last summer. Costa is the 22nd person to lead the department in the city's 150 years of paid firefighting service. He's a 24-year veteran, and began working in the city as a firefighter in the West End.
At a ceremony in the Public Safety Complex, Costa said he aims to advance the department and provide value to residents.
``I just worked my whole career for this, and I mean, this is just the pinnacle of everything,'' he said.
Mayor David Cicilline said Costa was selected from a pool of more than 40 candidates from departments around the country.
``This leader was a man who'd risen through the ranks, devoted himself fully to his profession, and shown by example his commitment to excellence and his willingness to look at new ways of thinking, as we deal with the challenges of this 21st century public safety,'' the mayor said in a statement.
Costa holds a bachelor of science degree in fire science from Providence College, and was trained at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.
