Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has appointed Rodney Marshall, a 35-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, as the city's first Black fire commissioner. Marshall, who replaces Paul Burke, will take over the leadership position later this month after he is officially sworn in. The appointment comes after pressure from city and state elected officials of color to reflect the department's diversity. Marshall joined the department in 1991 and is currently the department’s chief of operations for support services. He has been promoted to fire captain in 2005, district fire chief in 2014, and deputy fire chief since 2022.