Newport Fire Department Promotes Three and Welcomes Six New Recruits

The Newport Fire Department family just got a little bigger.

Three firefighters received promotions, and City Clerk Kathy Silvia swore in six new recruits, Monday morning at the  headquarters. The ceremony was performed in front of City Manager Edward Lavallee, family, friends and fellow firefighters and police officers.

“The role of a leader has never been more important,” Fire Marshal Wayne Clark said to the firefighters and recruits. “You are here today because you have a history of making great choices.”

Firefighter Richard Wheeler was promoted to fire lieutenant, Lt. Scott Hallman was promoted to fire captain, and Cpt. James S. McIntosh was promoted to deputy chief. McIntosh joined the department in 1982, was promoted to lieutenant in 1998, and then captain in 2005. Hallman joined the department in 1992 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2007. Wheeler joined the department in 1990.

Ryan P. Maloney, Michael J. Turskey, Wayne A. Beebe, Jr., Kevin Kosinski, Kylge G. McKenna, and Carl P. Critz joined the department as new recruits. Critz formerly served as the editor of South Kingstown Patch. He and his new colleagues will go through a six-week training program and return for a pinning ceremony.

Fire Chief Peter Connerton wished the new recruits luck in their training.