The North Little Rock Fire Department held a Retirement, Promotion and Swearing-in ceremony this afternoon at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center. Retiring firefighters: Battalion Chief Al Cerrato (43 years), Captain Perry Tackett (36 years) and Lieutenant Mark Mahan (20 years). The ceremony included the swearing-in of three new firefighters: Richard Herring, Ashley Meyer and Michael Marra. Six North Little Rock firefighters were promoted. Matthew Hunt, Tanner Ramsey and Matt Matchett were promoted to Lieutenant. David Kirkendoll and Steve Lankford were promoted to Captain. Captain Ricky Cranford was promoted to Battalion Chief. Chief Ricky Cranford is the first black firefighter promoted to Battalion Chief in the North Little Rock Fire Department.
