For the first time in the history of the Onset Fire Department four firefighters were promoted to lieutenants, including the first female lieutenant.

On Thursday, Brittany Andersen, Keith McDonald, Jason Coleman and Justin Harrington were promoted to lieutenants of the department. Short and sweet, the pinning ceremony included family members and a small celebration afterwards.

"I'm very proud of everyone having gone through this process. It's a point of pride," said Chief Ray Goodwin. "Now they're gonna be leaders of small companies. They may be in charge of a whole scene or several people."

Read more about each of the lieutenants below.

Andersen

Andersen is the first female lieutenant of the department, sister of Onset Fire Captain Howard L. Andersen, and youngest daughter of the late Onset Fire Chief Howard B. Andersen who passed away in 2014 after a long battle with cancer. She said the accomplishment was “exciting.”

"I'm following in my dad's footstep. My brother is a senior lieutenant here."

McDonald

Having been with Onset Fire Department for 13 years, McDonald said the accomplishment felt "pretty amazing."

"I like the feeling of family here."

Harrington

He started from the bottom seven years ago and has moved up the ranks.

"I'm a fourth generation firefighter. My father pinned me, he's from this department. My grandfather was too, and so was his father. My little brother is in the department too."

Coleman

A firefighter from Canton, Coleman has been with the Onset team for only two years.

"I haven't been here very long, but the department opened its arms and accepted me as their own."