Eight Burlington Firefighters Promoted At Select Board Meeting

BURLINGTON, MA — Eight Burlington firefighters were promoted at Monday's Selectmen meeting. The recent promotion of Michael Patterson to chief opened up his assistant chief role, among other needs. Fire Captain Andrew Connerty was made assistant chief, Lieutenant Steven McLain was made captain, and six firefighters were made fire lieutenants.

Connerty was made a captain in 2011, and has been with the department since 1993. McLain has been with the department 27 years, and has been a lieutenant since 2002. Since 2017, he's served with the fire prevention division.

Firefighters Michael Fontannay, James Hapenney Jr., Shaun Kenney, Craig Callagahan, Ernest Covino III and Sean Connors were promoted to lieutenant. All have been with the department for over a decade.

Several are second- or third-generation firefighters. Callahan's uncle Lee Callahan was the town's fire chief until his retirement in 2010, and his father William spent 30 years with the department. Kenney is a third-generation firefighter; his father and grandfather both were members of the Cambridge fire department. And Hapenney's father, James Hapenney Sr., was a 27-year member of the department.

All promotions were unanimously endorsed by the selectmen. The full meeting is available from BCAT.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.