Hamden's Two Newest
February 7, 2022 - The department today took the first steps in filling the more than a dozen department vacancies made during 2021 when Firefighter/Paramedics Ryan Shea and Gary Oster were sworn in by Town Clerk Kerimah Mickens before a crowd of about sixty, including active department members, family, friends, and a few retirees.
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| While Chief Merwede looks on, Firefighter-Paramedics Gary Oster and Ryan Shea are sworn in by Hamden Town Clerk Karimah Mickens. |
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| Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett welcomed the new recruits and wished them well as they turn another page as members of the Hamden Fire Department. |
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| Chief Merwede, Mayor Garrett, and Town Clerk Mickens welcomed everyone |
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"These ceremonies are symbolic, traditional, and important." Those words, spoken by Chief Gary Merwede at today's swearing-in of two new recruits, probably echo the thoughts of a majority of those who serve or have served in the Hamden Fire Department.
"Our newest Firefighter-Paramedics will affirm in public that they will loyally and faithfully perform their duties according to law and to the best of their abilities and, by extension, deliver the Mission of the Hamden Fire Department to the community that we serve."
Chief Merwede continued, "Ryan Shea ands Gary Oster are up to this challenge. Ryan Shea comes to us from the UConn Fire Department, where he started his fire service career in August of 2019, just prior to when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He has additional experienced through his work at AMR and having graduated from the Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for EMS Paramedic Program in 2017.
"Gary Oster comes to us from the Waterbury Fire Department, where he began his professional firefighting career, having graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Class 62 in 2018. Gary also has additional experience through AMR, Stratford EMS, and Bridgeport Hospital; he is a recent graduate of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for EMS Paramedic Program, receiving his certification this past July."
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| Ff-Paramedic Shea "signs zee papers" |
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| Oster follows suit . . . |
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Following their swearing-in, both recruits will spend the next two weeks with Captain Rich Lennon, receiving departmental orientation and working with our fire officers throughout the department to familiarize them with the department's apparatus and response districts. Following department orientation, Firefighter Shea will be assigned to Station 2 on the 1st Platoon; Firefighter Oster will be assigned to Station 2 on the 4th Platoon.
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| Pinning on the badge |
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| Pinning on the badge |
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| Chief Merwede, Recruit Firefighter-Paramedics Gary Oster and Ryan Shea, and Mayor Lauren Garrett |
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| Two of Hamden's five newest fire commissioners were present. From the left, Commissioners Samod Rankins and Vic Mitchell pose with their first appointments as new fire commissioners, and the Chief. |
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| At the end of the 10-minute ceremony, active and retired department members lined up to congratulate and welcome recruit Ffs. Oster and Ryan to the family. |
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