Vacancies occurred as a result of the recent retirements and promotions.

Lemay has served the Department for 30 years, joining in 1986 as a Firefighter/EMT, was Lieutenant from 1990-2000, Fire Captain from 2000-2004, and then Acting/Provisional Deputy Chief from 2004 until the present. This appointment makes him a permanent Deputy Chief.

Chmura joined the Fire Department in 1999 as a firefighter/EMT after having served as a Firefighter with the US Air Force. He worked in Chicopee in said capacity until 2010. In 2010 he was promoted to Lieutenant and has performed in the Acting/Temporary capacity thereafter. This promotion appoints him as a permanent Captain.

Couture became a Firefighter/EMD/EMT with the Chicopee Fire Department with Chicopee in 2008. He worked in the temporary capacity as Lieutenant beginning in 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts and has served as a Fire Team Leader in the US Marine Corps. Additionally, he is currently an instructor at the Stow, Massachusetts Fire Academy. This is a permanent promotion to Lieutenant.

Mayor Kos indicates that “It is important to continue to address manpower and leadership needs in public safety and I am very pleased to do so with our Fire Service.”

“These promotions that were made today are an important aspect for the Department. We have gone through considerable change with the addition of twelve new firefighters and having these permanent promotions made is going to bring stability to the Department so we can move forward,” states Fire Chief Dean Desmarais.

All appointments will be permanent and effective November 15, 2015.