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Salem City swears in two deputy chiefs, two captains, two lieutenants and four recruits
Summary
Salem City held a swearing-in ceremony where the fire department promoted two deputy chiefs, two captains, two lieutenants and introduced four new recruits; Mayor Pangallo administered the oath and Chief Dion praised the officers’ service.
Chief Dion opened a swearing-in ceremony in Salem City council chambers, praising the officers being promoted and noting that recent retirements opened advancement opportunities within the Salem Fire Department.
"Everybody remembers the day they were sworn in," Chief Dion said, reflecting on his own start 33 or 34 years ago and saying he was "proud of each and every one of them." He told the assembled group that promotions bring "new energy, new ideas" to the department.
The department announced two promotions to deputy chief: Deputy Wayne Silva, who joined the department in 2001 and was described as having 25 years of service, and Deputy Chief Matt DeRhodes, who joined in 2009 and has 17 years of service. Mayor Pangallo administered the oath for the deputies, asking each to "raise your right hand and repeat after me" and reciting the oath that references the Constitution of the United States, the constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the charter and ordinances of Salem City.
Two firefighters were promoted to captain: Christopher Palamara (joined 2010; 16 years' service) and Andy Francis (joined 2016; 12 years' service). Two were promoted to lieutenant: Matthew Keen (joined 2012; 15 years' service) and Johnny Accion (joined 2010; 16 years' service). Each group repeated the oath led by Mayor Pangallo.
Chief Dion also introduced four new recruits—Colby Belay, Michael D'Amico, John LeBlanc and Wesley Scheibe—who are attending the department academy and were described as being in week four of a 10-week program. The recruits repeated the firefighter oath and were welcomed into the department.
The ceremony concluded with Chief Dion thanking Mayor Pangallo and council members and reminding promoted personnel to sign the department's promotion book with Maureen. He noted the council meeting was set to follow.
The oath used at the ceremony invoked federal and state constitutions and the Salem City charter and ordinances; no formal votes or motions were recorded during the event.
