Cranford committee approves retirements, promotions and hires; first female career firefighter sworn in

The Township Committee of the Township of Cranford on June 24 accepted the retirement of Battalion Chief Leo Schafer and approved multiple promotions and hires for the Cranford Fire Department, including the department’s first female career firefighter.

The moves were formalized by roll-call votes on resolutions read into the record and were unanimous. Mayor Terrence Curran led the swearing-in ceremonies for promoted officers and newly appointed probationary firefighters and EMTs.

The committee voted to accept the retirement of Battalion Chief Leo Schafer, effective June 30, 2025, and to promote John Dillon to battalion chief effective July 1, 2025. The committee also approved the promotion of Thomas Hannon III to lieutenant, and the appointment or reaffirmation of probationary firefighters Chapin Taggart, Paul Richardson and Thomas Scannio. The committee approved Pauline Ladors as a full‑time emergency medical technician and recognized Kayla Rejevic as the other new full‑time EMT noted at the meeting.

Fire Chief Dan Cech, speaking to the committee and public, described the night as historic and praised the new appointees. “This is the first time in 75 years that we're adding members to the Cranford Fire Department,” Cech said, and he welcomed the new hires and promoted officers on behalf of the department.

Chief Cech and Mayor Curran framed the staffing actions as a response to rising emergency calls: the chief said the department responded to 1,538 emergency calls in 2005 and to 3,333 in 2024. Cech said the additional staffing will help the department comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration respiratory protection “two‑in/two‑out” standard and move toward staffing four 8‑person shifts.

Officials highlighted individual records: Dillon, sworn in as battalion chief, was credited with 17 years of service and deployments with New Jersey Task Force 1. Lieutenant Hannon was noted for prior service as a fire inspector and for work with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management reservist team. Firefighter Chapin Taggart was introduced as the first female career firefighter in Cranford’s history; the chief said she achieved the highest written score in the recent hiring process and “made it clear that she was prepared for this challenge.”

The committee read and approved the following resolutions on the record: Resolution 2025‑235 accepting the retirement of Leo Schafer; 2025‑236 accepting the resignation of an EMT; 2025‑237 promoting John Dillon; 2025‑238 promoting Thomas Hannon III; previously adopted resolution 2025‑207 appointing Paul Richardson; 2025‑239 appointing Thomas Scania (Scannio); and 2025‑240 appointing Pauline Ladors. Roll calls in the transcript show unanimous “yes” votes from Commissioner Gina Black, Commissioner Andrews, Commissioner Mila Prunty, Deputy Mayor Paul Gallo and Mayor Curran for the items recorded in the meeting minutes.

Township Administrator Lavona Patterson and other officials publicly thanked departing and incoming personnel. Cech singled out retired Battalion Chief Schafer’s 25 years of service and recounted his role offering follow‑up help to residents after emergencies.

The committee’s actions were framed as immediate personnel changes plus part of ongoing staffing plans; no additional policy changes or budget increases were adopted in the moment beyond the resolutions read and voted on.

The committee completed the personnel votes by roll call; the meeting record indicates the promotions and appointments were certified as adopted that evening.