The Bayonne Fire Department swore in 13 new firefighters and promoted two to the rank of captain during a formal ceremony last month.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The new firefighters are Keith Ribbecke, Michael Nolan, Christopher Regan, Brian Johnston, Matthew Lojewski, Michael Cotter, Jonathan McHugh, Matthew Nowak, Jacob McNamara, Shannon Hester, Matthew O’Hara, Erik Lyman, and Mitesh Patel.
They are graduates of the Bergen County Fire Academy and have also received training from the Bayonne Fire Department.
Additionally, Gustavo Caamano and Michael Mullane were promoted to captain.
City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oaths of office.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Jimmy Davis cited the “professionalism” of the two new captains. He said that the new recruits were “joining the ranks of one of the finest fire departments in the United States.”
Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski added that Caamano and Mullane are “an example” to the new firefighters and wished the new recruits “a successful, long career.”
Fire Chief Keith Weaver called the BFD “a department that is second to none.”
Furthermore, Public Safety Director Robert Kubert said that the new captains “proved themselves out in the field,” and that the new firefighters “went through hell at the academy.”
He advised the recent academy graduates that they would be doing a variety of tasks in addition to firefighting, such as pumping out basements and dealing with electrical problems.
The new class of firefighters was dedicated to former firefighters George and Carl Paczkowski, who served for a combined 65 years in the Bayonne Fire Department.
