When Christopher Coleman was a boy, his father would bring him to fires.
Dressed in his own uniform, Coleman would watch from a distance as his dad, Fire Chief Robert Coleman, commanded the scene. The younger Coleman grew up watching his father in action, first as a boy and then as a firefighter himself. His uncle was also a firefighter, serving as a lieutenant in Pawtucket. Now the family tradition is even stronger as Coleman has been named the next chief of the North Attleboro Fire Department. He said he will probably take over in September after current Chief Michael Brousseau retires. “This has always been my dream and this is a dream come true,” Coleman said Monday. “I always wanted to follow in his footsteps and this is going to be great.” Coleman, 43, said there is a lot of work to do and he can’t wait to get started. The department has 10 new firefighters who have to be trained and mentored.
A 22-year veteran of the force, Coleman was selected for the job by selectmen over two fire officials from Rhode Island.