The Seymour Fire Department swore in a new chief and several other officers earlier this month at Town Hall.
Jim Smith, a 15-year veteran of the department, was sworn is as chief.
Smith’s wife, Teresa, and 18-month-old granddaughter, Ayva, pinned his badge on him before about 50 onlookers.
Smith replaces Tom Tomasheski as chief. The town’s Board of Fire Commissioners appoints a new chief every two years.
Click the play button on the video above to see Smith being sworn in.
After being sworn in by First Selectman Kurt Miller, Smith congratulated all the officers sworn in.
“We have an excellent group of firefighters with various experience levels which makes a nice department,” Smith, who was also a firefighter for 20 years in Ansonia before moving to Seymour in 1996.
There are about 100 active volunteer firefighters in Seymour.
The officers sworn in were:
- James Lombardi. Lieutenant, Citizens Engine Company.
- Ronald Burgess. Lieutenant, Citizens Engine Company.
- Paul Possenti. Lieutenant, Great Hill Hose Company.
- Dan Zaniewski, Captain, Great Hill Hose Company.
- Wayne Lewis, Captain, Citizens’ Engine Company.
- Assistant Chief Michael Lombardi.
- Assistant Chief John Cronin.
- Assistant Chief Steve Childs.
- Chief James Smith.
After the swearings-in, Miller read the ​“Fireman’s Prayer.”
Click the play button on the video below to watch.