Fire-Rescue Chief Announces Historic Promotion

Apr 10th, 2009

Mobile Fire Chief Stephen Dean announced the promotion of four firefighters today, Friday, April 10, to take affect Saturday, April 11. Captain LeAnn Tacon will become the first female firefighter in the history of the department to reach the rank of District Chief. Firemedic-Driver Mack Weaver, III will be promoted to Captain. Also being promoted are two Firefighters to Driver.

Tacon, 45, has had a series of first in her 22-year career with the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department starting in 1987 when she became the first female to be hired and trained as a firefighter with the department. In May of 1995 she became the first female to be promoted to Driver and less than a month later she became the first female to be promoted to Captain, a position she has held until now. Tacon has had a variety of assignments with the department to include serving as a Training Officer and Public Relations Officer. She also serves as the Search Team Manager with the department’s Urban, Search and Rescue Team (USAR). Among other first, Tacon is the only female to be elected and serve on the Executive Board of the Mobile Firefighters Association, Local 1349, serving as its Vice-President and President.

Weaver, 42, has over 8 years with the department and was promoted to Driver in 2008 and has been a Paramedic since 2004.

Firefighter Richard McMillian, 44, a veteran of the department with over 12 years and Firefighter Adrien Cordero, 24, who has been with the department over 3 years are being promoted to the position of Firefighter-Driver.