Mayor Gary Christenson and Fire Commissioner Emery Haskell presided over a promotional and swearing in ceremony officially welcoming Chief William Sullivan to the Fire Department following the retirement of Chief Kevin Finn last February. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the requirement to limit attendees, the first of two ceremonies was held outdoors on the new City Hall Plaza where attendees’ families were seated six feet apart from other families and wore masks. The second ceremony will take place on October 22nd.
Also in attendance were State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian along with City Councillors Craig Spadafora, Barbara Murphy, Steve Winslow and Council President Jadeane Sica. “I’m especially pleased to officially welcome Chief Bill Sullivan. They say that ‘the quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves,’ said Mayor Christenson. “I have come to know the high standards that Bill sets for himself and the Department and look forward to working with him.”
Assistant Chief William P. Sullivan was promoted to Chief of the Department; Lieutenant John Hall was promoted to Deputy Chief; Lieutenant Richard B. Borges was promoted to Captain; Firefighter Robert S. Hegarty was promoted to Lieutenant; Firefighter Bradford Bianchi was promoted to Lieutenant; and Firefighter James G. Varzakis was promoted to Provisional Lieutenant. Firefighters Michael Fleming and Nicholas Yandell were officially welcomed to the Department.
Commissioner Haskell invited family members to officially pin the promoted officers and new members and City Clerk Greg Lucey took the oaths and swore in the officers. The promotions and new hires are the result of recent retirements. Photos of the event may be found on the City's Flickr account.
Pictured (from left): City Councillors Craig Spadafora, Barbara Murphy, Steve Winslow and Jadeane Sica; Mayor Gary Christenson; Fire Chief Bill Sullivan, Deputy Chief John Hall, Captain Richard Borges, Lieutenant Robert Hegarty, Lieutenant Bradford Bianchi with daughter Adeline, Provisional Lieutenant James Varzakis, Firefighter Michael Fleming, Firefighter Nicholas Yandell; State Representatives Paul Donato, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Steve Ultrino; Fire Commissioner Emery Haskell.