Wilburt McAdams was named chief of the Warren (Mich.) Fire Department. According to the Detroit Free Press, McAdams is the first African American to hold the position in a department that reportedly has struggled with racial issues in the past.

"The things that divide us will have to unite us," McAdams told the paper. "We need to build bridges and create new opportunities for everyone."

McAdams also told the paper that he will focus on improving morale, reducing overtime, helping negotiate a new contract with firefighters and resuming emergency ambulance runs to hospitals, a service that was cut three years ago.

McAdams replaces Robert Vought, who was fired last month amidst low morale and straining the budget with excessive overtime.