Greenwich Fire Promotes 2 Firefighters to Lieutenant

Veteran Greenwich firefighters Dennis Frulla and Matthew Brooks were promoted to the rank of lieutenant on Monday.

Their promotions were made possible with the retirements of two lieutenants earlier this month. Lieutenants John Stashenko and John Edwards retired after nearly 30 years of service.

Frulla is an 18-year veteran of the department, having served as a fire officer, fire instructor and an incident safety officer. Brooks has served as a firefighter and fire instructor and previously was a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Watertown.

Fire Chief Peter Siecienski described the men as “workhorses” in the department.

The new firefighters are Vito Ciarlo of Watertown where he has volunteered as a firefighter and EMT while working as a licensed electrician; and Forrest Edelman of Weston where he has worked as a 911 dispatcher and as a Weston volunteer firefighter.

First Selectman Peter Tesei, who also serves as the town’s fire commissioner, administered the oaths to all four men. “Residents rely upon you every day … life safety is paramount to them. This is a great day to celebrate the success of your family and to welcome you to the Town of Greenwich family,” Tesei said.

Before the standing-room only ceremony began in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Frulla’s son Hunter, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Photos: Lieutenants Dennis Frulla and Matthew Brooks; Hunter Frulla wears his father’s fireman’s hat; Vito Ciarlo’s mother pins his firefighter’s badge; Forrest Edelman is sworn in by Fire Commissioner Peter Tesei; Greenwich firefighters attend the ceremony. Credit: Barbara Heins.