UTICA – The Utica Fire Department held a promotion and appointment ceremony Thursday morning.
Three firefighters were promoted to higher ranks and five were appointed for the firefighter’s academy. The ceremony included the special presentation of certificates and the pinning of the badges.
"Today's their day and their weekend to celebrate because Sunday night they'll be at the academy and ready to go,” said Acting Fire Chief John Kelly.
The firefighter’s academy will run for 14 weeks and will include extensive physical, classroom and hands-on training. After the academy, the Utica Fire Department will be up to its full strength of 124 members.
The following officers were promoted Thursday:
- Deputy Fire Chief Guy Gazzilli
- Fire Captain Joseph Cieslak
- Fire Lieutenant Francis Giglio
The following firefighters will be joining the UDF ranks:
- Firefighter Michael Dam
- Firefighter Zachary Ellis
- Firefighter Christopher Gorea
- Firefighter Ehser Kanyaw
- Firefighter Cody Rosinski