HATFIELD — The Hatfield Fire Department is to swear in two new captains and three lieutenants Thursday evening, all rising from within the ranks of the volunteer force.
Alan Belden and Raymond Romero will be sworn in as captains. Luke Longstreeth, William Shea, and Joshua McGee will be sworn in as lieutenants at a ceremony at the department.
“It will strengthen our officers and our core leadership,” said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Flaherty. ”Some people moved away and we were down to about three officers who were responding.”
To fill the positions, the department conducted individual interviews with each applicant, graded their responses, and decided the promotions. Belden and Romero will rise from lieutenant to captain, while Longstreeth, Shea, and McGee will be promoted from firefighter to lieutenant.
“This is a younger group so they are going to help with the younger generations and do some recruiting for new firefighters in the department,” said Flaherty.
Flaherty said the department plans to work more with local high schools to recruit the next generation of firefighters. The department wants to visit schools and conduct presentations on the importance of volunteer firefighters and the community’s need.
“It’s a good way to give back to the community,” he said.
All five positions will remain on-call, volunteer positions. A combination department, Hatfield’s force consists of two paid officers and more than 20 on-call volunteers.
The ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Hatfield Fire Department, 59 Main St.
Email: srobertson@gazettenet.com.