Mayor Richard Kos has announced the swearing-in of new Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Captain, and Fire Lieutenant, in addition to six new fire fighter recruits that took place in a ceremonies at City Hall yesterday afternoon that included family and fellow fire fighters.

David Beauregard, a member of the Chicopee Fire Department since 1994, was sworn-in as the new permanent Deputy Fire Chief. Since 2007, he has held the role of Fire Captain, working intermittently as the Training & Safety Officer as well.

Marcel Lapierre, a member of the Chicopee Fire Department since 1986, was sworn-in as the new permanent Fire Captain. Lapierre has held the position of temporary Fire Captain since 2016.

Zachary Vozella, a member of the Chicopee Fire Department since 2012, was sworn-in as the new permanent Fire Lieutenant. The temporary Fire Lieutenant role was held by Vozella since 2016.

"The fire department is pleased to have these newly promoted officers. They were selected from a group of highly qualified candidates," said Fire Chief Dean Desmarais. "I would like to thank Mayor Kos and members of the City Council for their continued support in maintaining our staffing at the highest possible levels. I am confident that these newly promoted officers will carry out their duties in a fashion that will support our mission of providing public safety to the citizens of Chicopee."

The promotions begin effective March 12, 2017.

The new fire fighter recruits, all Chicopee residents, are:

Preston Bailey

Christopher Drobnak

Zachary Gates

Gregory Pray

Eric Rogers

Valeri Stein

"Its important to maintain our level of public safety, both in police and fire," said Mayor Kos. " I welcome our new recruits and new promotions and thank the City Council for their support in funding our budget going forward."

The recruits will go through a ten week training program, where upon completion, they will be sworn in as full-fledged Fire Fighters.

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