Clinton honors new hires and promotes captain at fire department badge pinning

Clinton City held a badge-pinning ceremony during its July 8 council meeting to recognize new firefighters and to pin a captain who joined the department earlier this year.

Chief Derek (last name not specified in the transcript) introduced Captain Kyle Montgomery, who the chief said was the top candidate on the promotion list and who left another city to join Clinton. The ceremony also recognized new hires John Morfin, Cole Como and Carter Labou. The chief said three of those positions were funded in the city budget and thanked Mayor, council and CFO Aaron Price for enabling the hires.

John Morfin was described as a paramedic with prior service in Layton City. Cole Como and Carter Labou are recent academy graduates; the chief said both placed at or near the top of their academy classes and that they signed a five-year commitment to Clinton City. Families pinned the badges in the council chamber during the ceremony.

Why it matters: The additions and promotion increase the fire department—s staffing and capacity, according to the chief, and the immediate recognition is a change from the department—s previous practice of waiting six months before formal pinning.

Council members and the chief praised the new hires and the multi-generational service noted during the event, including an officer whose grandfather was among the city's earliest firefighters. No formal council action was required; the ceremony was part of the meeting—s agenda and was followed by applause and photographs.

Names mentioned: Captain Kyle Montgomery; John Morfin; Cole Como; Carter Labou; Chief Derek; Aaron Price (CFO).