POUGHKEEPSIE – Before a crowd of family, fellow firefighters, and friends, three members of the Poughkeepsie Fire Department took their oaths of office on Friday. Two of the men took their oaths after earning promotions and the third member is new to the department, having transferred from the LaGrange Fire Department.
Recently appointed Deputy Fire Chief Vinny Parise took his oath of office for his new position. His appointment was announced in December of last year. Deputy Chief Parise is a 22-year veteran of the department and served as a lieutenant for Engine 2 prior to the promotion.
Veteran Firefighter Ron Holder, a member of the department for 12 years and the “tallest US Marine-turned-firefighter” in Poughkeepsie took his oath of office for his new position as a lieutenant.
Newly-hired Firefighter Cameron Tuller also took his oath of office and is following in his grandfather’s boots. Tuller’s grandfather, Gary Hegeman was a Poughkeepsie firefighter assigned to Engine 1 until his retirement. Mr. Hegeman stood next to the new hire as he took his oath. Tuller began his firefighting career in the LaGrange Fire Department and transferred to Poughkeepsie when a position became available.
Mayor Marc Nelson emceed the event and called it “One of the joyful things I get to do as mayor”. Praising the work the fire department does for the city, he pointed out that “There is no more important service a government can provide its citizens than public safety.”
Noting that the city’s police force is understaffed and the fire department is going to have several veterans retire in the next few months, he said his administration is working diligently to recruit and retain members of both public safety departments.
In the video below, Deputy Chief Vinny Parise (left), Lt. Ron Holder (center), FF Cameron Tuller (right center), and Retired FF Gary Hegeman (green vest) stand before Poughkeepsie City Chamberlain Jasmine Davis as she administers the oath of office to the three firefighters.
