Wilmington officials have announced the appointment of Gabriel M. Pabon, Jr., as Wilmington’s newest Fire Marshal. Pabon, a 20-year veteran of the department, became a firefighter on August 2, 1999, after graduating from the 32nd Wilmington Fire Academy. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2011 and was promoted to Captain in June of this year. On July 31, 2019, Pabon was appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief for Fire Prevention.
Pabon, a married father of three boys, is a resident of Bayard Square and currently serves as president of the Bayard Square Neighborhood Association. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and, as is required of all fire investigators in the City, graduated from the 88th Wilmington Police Academy in 2004 and is a Certified Law Enforcement Officer.
“We are very pleased to have Gabriel leading the City’s Fire Marshal’s Office,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki. “During a highly decorated career with the Department that has spanned more than two decades, Gabe has accumulated a wealth of experience – including having served in the Fire Prevention Division as a Fire Instructor, Plans Examiner, and Inspector/Investigator – that makes him eminently qualified to carry out the Office’s mission, namely enforcing fire safety codes and standards, conducting public education, and investigating the cause and origin of fires occurring within the City of Wilmington. Congratulations to Chief Michael Donohue for continuing to build a solid command structure under his direction.”
Pabon began his new duties on Wednesday, July 31, 2019.