Lebanon swears in five career firefighters, chief introduces recruits

Lebanon City Council held a swearing-in ceremony Jan. 14 to induct five new career firefighters into the Lebanon Fire Division. Fire Chief Ryan Kipsinski introduced the hires and the council administered the oath of office.

Chief Kipsinski invited family members forward and introduced each new firefighter by name and brief background: Hunter Anderson (joined June 2024, prior experience in Greene County, attending medic school, aspires to be a fire safety inspector); Grant Hawkins (with Lebanon Fire Division since July 2024, brings 16 years’ experience from other departments, certified paramedic, fire inspector and EMS instructor); Nathan Lawleston (with division since April 2024, promoted to career firefighter in June 2024, Lebanon native, planning to pursue inspector and paramedic training); Logan Johnson (with division since March 2023, promoted in June 2024, Army Reserve service, entering paramedic school in March); and Alex Scharpenberger (with division since February 2024, promoted to career firefighter in May 2024 and attending medic school).

Council led a collective oath; the swearing included the pledge to support the U.S. Constitution and the provisions of the city charter and ordinances and to “faithfully discharge the duties of the position of career firefighter.” Council and attendees applauded; the mayor and councilmembers offered brief remarks welcoming the new personnel and praising the department’s role in community safety.

Councilmembers and the mayor noted the department’s completion of hiring following the passage of a fire levy referenced during council comments; several councilmembers and the mayor thanked voters for supporting the levy and said the hires fill vacancies in the previously understaffed department. The city manager and chief noted additional hires were pending completion of probation and training.

The ceremony included presentation of a plaque recognizing public service and family in attendance. Council did not take any legislative action as part of the ceremony; the swearing in was ceremonial and administrative.