The Providence (R.I.) Fire Department promoted five firefighters in a June 6 ceremony. Among them was Heidi Rivard, who was promoted to captain and is the first woman in the department’s history to attain that rank.

Rivard joined the department in 1991. A certified fire and CPR instructor, she commands a rescue truck based in the department’s Station 3.

During her career with the Providence department, Rivard has served in the city's East Side, Mount Hope and downtown neighborhoods. She has been cited by the department for meritorious service on two occasions.