Public invited to attend
Fire Chief John G. Centanni at a training drill (File photo)
The four deputy chiefs, three battalion chiefs and five captains will be sworn in at Calvary Gospel Church, 17 Lyons Ave., at 1 p.m., the announcement said. Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose and Fire Chief John Centanni will lead the ceremony.
"It is always a proud day for the City of Newark and a privilege for me to promote deserving firefighters into higher ranks," Baraka said in a statement. "The Newark Fire Division has a long history of honor, courage, and commitment, displaying valor by charging into the scene of disaster when others must flee, to save lives and property."
Newark promotes largest group of police officers in more than decade
The mayor called on the new supervisors to lead by example within the division and larger community.
"These newly promoted firefighters excelled in their duties, studied hard for their tests, and are now earning the ranks they deserved," Baraka added.
Like the police force, the fire department was merged into a division of the city's Department of Public Safety as part of a reorganization.
"The addition of these new supervisors will strengthen the division's leadership and is a testament to the invaluable service provided by our firefighters in keeping our city safe," Ambrose, the public safety director, said.
In June, 34 graduates from the city's Orange Street fire academy were sworn in as firefighters.
The fire promotions come after the police division promoted 68 members to supervisory ranks, the largest such promotion in at least a decade.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.