Erin Scott pins the captain’s badge on DiRienzo
CARMEL – David DiRienzo, 32, a member of the Carmel Fire Department, became one of the youngest fire chiefs in Putnam County when he was sworn in Saturday night. James Piekarski, the chief of the Kent Fire Department was 24 when he took over that agency three years ago.
The Carmel Fire department has been serving the community for 102 years.
DiRienzo began his firefighting career as a member of the Lake Carmel Fire Department’s Explorer Post. Erin Scott, who taught him and still serves as post advisor, pinned the chief’s badge on her former student’s jacket.
Outgoing Chief Vincent Ruggiero was honored when his son, Vincent, pinned his ex-chief’s badge on his dad’s jacket.
In addition to DiRienzo being sworn in, other officers took their oaths of office: assistance chiefs Robert Lipton Jr. and Matt Lubera; captains Michael McMahon, Joe Huebel and Scott Efferen; and lieutenants Tom Keck, Pete Madden, Joe Singh, Robert Behan and Dennis Morehead.
