CANTON – Kwameshallahu Akbar Bennett is poised to become the city s first Black fire chief.
The historic event happens one year shy of the department s bicentennial. The fire department was established in 1822, the same year Canton was incorporated as a village, according to the Canton Professional Firefighters Association.
Bennett, 50, will be promoted from division chief and sworn in at 10 a.m. Monday in council chambers at City Hall.
Bennett has served as interim fire chief since Chief Thomas Garra retired March 2 after 29 years on the force.
His retirement left Bennett and three battalion chiefs vying for the chief s post. Battalion Chief Steven Henderson will be sworn in Monday as the department s new division chief.