NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk has a new fire marshal and he's one for the history books.
After more than 150 years of operation, Damon Langley is the first African American to serve as fire marshal at Norfolk Fire-Rescue.
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"Being the first African American Fire Marshal for the City of Norfolk... I'm really proud just to have this opportunity and to be in this position," said Langley. "I also understand that that comes with great responsibility."
Langley said this responsibility includes showing the community's youth that they can achieve their goals.
"It's so important to have that representation and [for kids to be] able to see someone that looks like them and say, 'I can emulate that. This is possible. This is attainable,'" said Langley.
The department said Langley has worked with them for more than two decades.
He served in a number of different roles before this groundbreaking promotion. He used to work at the emergency department at Sentara Leigh Hospital and said helping others has always been important to him.
