Two Captains and Two Lieutenants Sworn In
Friday, January 14 - An estimated 100+ friends, family, co-workers, HFD and retirees were in the Legislative Council chambers this morning to witness four newly-promoted department members being sworn in to their new positions.
Posted 1/14/2022
Most of the photos below may be enlarged by clicking on the images.
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| Fire Chief Gary Merwede (center) is flanked by, from left to right, Lieutenant Larry DeBurra, Lieutenant Mike DeLine Jr., Captain Mike Dowling and Captain Rich Lennon. |
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| Chief Merwede |
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| Mayor Garrett's Adm. Asst. Sean Grace |
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| Town Clerk Karimah Mickens |
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Friday, January 14, 2022 - Today's ceremony to swear in two new captains and two new lieutenants was held before a crowd estimated at more than one hundred family members, friends, co-workers and numerous retirees.
Chief Merwede welcomed the gathering with some words of thanks to Hamden's outgoing fire commission. "I would like to recognize and thank the retiring Hamden Fire Commission for their years of hard work, service to the town, and dedication to the department. Commissioners Henry Candido, Jim O'Brien, Eric Curtis, and Oswald Brown - the Hamden Fire Department thanks you." The Chief went on to say that a new commission will be in place by next week and that he looks forward to working with them on behalf of the department.
Representing Mayor Lauren Garrett was her administrative assistant Sean Grace, who praised and congratulated the four officers. He noted that Mayor Garrett was very sorry that she was unable to attend because she is quarantined due to a recent COVID diagnosis.
Town Clerk Karimah Mickens then swore in the officers together in one group. Each one then signed his official acknowledgement of promotion.
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| Capt. Rich Lennon |
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From Chief Merwede's remarks . . .
"Captain Richard Lennon, our current Training Officer with nearly fourteen years of service, holds a Master's Degree in Emergency Management, and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Management. He is a certified Fire Officer, Fire and EMS Instructor, and Incident Sagfety Officer. Captain Lennon willbe leaving staff and returning to the line, assigned to Station 4 on Platoon 1.
"In order that he completes the important work of overhauling the entire record-keeping software system, finishing an AFG grant, and on-boarding new employees, he is temporarily detailed to the Training Office for sixty days.
"Rich has worked tirelessly on behalf of the department to keep our members safe during COVID-19, and I imagine going back to the line looks pretty good to him right now."
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| Capt. Mike Dowling |
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| Andrew and Sofia Dowling pin the captain's badge on Dad. |
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From Chief Merwede's remarks . . .
"Captain Michael Dowling, with fourteen years on the job, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fire Science Administration, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of New Haven. He has completed Officer I & II and a list of Rescue Technician and hazardous materials certifications through the Connecticut Fire Academy.
"Captain Dowling will remain on Platoon 4 and will be reassigned to Station 3, where he will be working on administrative departmental projects."
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From Chief Merwede's remarks . . .
"Lieutenant Michael DeLine Jr., also a fourteen-year veteran firefighter, pump operator, aerial operator, and EMT, has completed Fire Officer I & II and is currently a Fire Service Instructor and Station Evaluator. He has attended operational training courses at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, and recently received a letter of commendation for his work at a structure fire this past July. Lieutenant DeLine will be assigned to Station 3 on Platoon 3."
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| Lieut. Larry DeBurra |
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| B/C Sam DeBurra (HFD, Ret.) pins on his son's new lieutenant badge. |
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From Chief Merwede's remarks . . .
"Lieutenant Lawrence DeBurra, a nine-year veteran firefighter, operates all Hamden Fire Department apparatus. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, with a minor in mathematics and molecular cell biology. Lieutenant DeBurra holds Connecticut Fire Academy certifications as a pump operator, aerial operator, and rescue technician, and has attended multiple classes in rapid intervention team training.
"Larry has received two commendation letters in the past year for his work at structure fires. He will be assigned to Station 2 on Platoon 2."
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| Proud moments |
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| Lt. DeBurra with his children, Henry ("Hank" - in arms), Madelyn ("Maddy") and Lydia, next to Grandpa. |
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Farewell, Commissioner Henry Candido
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Above, after serving as a fire commissioner for a total of eighteen years, Commissioner Henry Candido joins Chief Merwede and the newly sworn officers to say, "Farewell." Henry was always a huge fan of the department and its people. He and his colleagues on the outgoing Commission can be proud of the dozens of department selections they have made over the years.
Below is the outgoing Board of Fire Commissioners pictured with a couple of familiar faces during the 2019 Local 2687 Retirement Dinner.
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| Pictured here at the March 23, 2019 Local 2687 Retirement Dinner are, left to right, Cmmr. Oswald Brown, Chief Merwede, Mayor Curt Leng, Comm. Chairman Henry Candido, Cmmr. Jim O'Brien, and Cmmr. Eric Curtis. |
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