2 new Lieutenants and 14 new Firefighters Sworn In |
By Fire Chief Drew Smith | |
September 29, 2020 | |
On Monday evening of September 21 the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District conducted a socially distanced Installation and Promotion Ceremonies In additional to several of the incumbent firefighters and officers being present, Board of Trustees Secretary Joe Vertone, Deputy Chief Jones, Battalion Chief Olsen, and Battalion Chief Cossman were also present. Fire Chief Drew Smith administered the oath to 14 new firefighters hired between January and July. The new firefighters, many of whom are already paramedics included Ben Carnes, James Zeman, Jerry Camardelle, Matt Villegas, Matt Bohnen, Jerome Brault, Randy Stennett, Michael Rossi, Ted Kupiec, Scott Moens, Reed Sincox, Kane McLoughlin, Brian Kirschbaum, and George Levterov. Each new firefighter was permitted to invite a small number of guests who were seated in groups separated from the other groups. Following their reciting of the oath, each firefighter then had a special person pin on their badge. Two firefighters, Anthony Roma a 22-year veteran and Jay Gorecki a 16-year veteran, were promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Each will lead a shift’s company of firefighters at one of the firehouses. To be promoted each must have complete the promotional testing process and have obtained various education and certifications required to serve as a lieutenant. Before the ceremony began Chief Smith read the following statement: The chief read the oath: “The job of any organized fire department is the protection of life and property against the hazards of fire, wind, water and other calamities to which property and human beings are subjugated at any and all times, fair weather and foul.” After raising their right hand the new firefighter replied “I do” after being asked: “As a member of the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District, do you promise to the best of your ability to abide by all the rules governing this department, to obey all orders given by a superior officer and to be ready at all times to go against the elements of weather to help your fellow men when they can no longer help themselves?” Then the fire chief asked them to repeat after him “Therefore, I (new member states own name), do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution and Laws of the United States, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Illinois, and the ordinances, rules and regulations of the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of a Firefighter according to the best of my ability.” Following the firefighters’ oath, the new lieutenants were similarly sworn in. “The history of the promotion process in the fire service comes from the military. The earliest known fire companies were that of the Vigiles of the Roman Empire, a military unit that patrolled the streets of Rome on fire watch some 2000 years ago. During the Civil War many firefighters served and much of our modern day structure can be traced to these practices. The ceremony closed with the Firefighter’s Prayer: |
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