PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Seven new public safety officers were sworn in on Tuesday to the "most noble professions" in a promotional celebration at City Hall
It was the first time such a public event had been held, at least as far as Police Chief Michael Wynn knew.
"When we picked the date we certainly didn't know our brothers in the fire service would have spent 14, 18 hours on a major incident overnight and still managed to get here," he said.
The Fire Department spent Monday night fighting a fire at an abandoned mill, a reminder of the dangers and responsibilities that come with being a first responder.
"It's not an easy task to join public safety, either in the police service or fire service, in this day and age," Wynn said. "But people still do it. They made that sacrifice and they do it."
And that was the reason for Tuesday's ceremony, a chance to recognize the sacrifices and hard work, and the willingness to lead.
Four were promoted in the Fire Department, three in the Police Department.
City Clerk Jody Phillips gave the oath to newly promoted Capt. Thomas Sammons and Fire Lts. Kenneth Cowan, Matthew Packard and Robert Stevens. Also sworn in were Police Capt. Mark Trapani, Lt. Gary Traversa and Sgt. John Soules. Their badges each were pinned on by family members.
Wynn also recognized Sgt. Matthew Kirchner, currently in a temporary capacity until his Civil Service paperwork is received.
"Don't take it lightly. It's an awesome responsibility," cautioned Wynn on rising to command others. "But it's an awesome honor. It's an amazing honor to be entrusted to supervise and command people who go down range in your care."
Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski said the celebration was the result of months and months of studying, interviews and training leading up to the three-hour Civil Service exam.
"Most of these people have taken well over a year to study for these promotional processes and during that time, it takes a lot of time away from family and from other things they could be doing," he said.
Each officer, he said, "is a bridge between their respective departments they serve and the public they're sworn to protect."
When a first responder shows up, it's usually the worst day in the life of the person who calls them. Mayor Linda Tyer said it takes an extraordinary amount of skill, sympathy and discipline to do their jobs.
"Policing and firefighting are the most noble professions a person can undertake. It has meaningful rewards and considerable responsibilities," she said. But it is those difficult moments that make the most lasting impressions: "A child felt safer, a neighbor felt protected, a senior citizen received medical care, a home was spared, a life was saved."
A police honor guard procession kicked off the event attended by friends and family members and several city councilors. Retired Deputy Chief Michael Polidoro was master of ceremonies and the Rev. Peter Gregory of St. Charles' Church, the Fire Department chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction.
A reception was held in chambers immediately afterward with cake and cookies.
Czerwinski, who spoke last, also gave the new officers a charge and told them that leadership requires courage, action and sometimes going against the flow.
"You are now the leaders of tomorrow as we watch many of our senior officers retire," he said. "You are now the hope to install a new sense of pride and professionalism within each organization ...
pittsfield.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
MEMBER SIGN IN
