WARREN 6 firefighters, 5 police officers join ranks

A sixth police officer will be sworn in during a ceremony in May.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Five police officers and six firefighters were to be sworn in this morning, the first new hires since layoffs were issued in 2000.
The safety service personnel were to be sworn in at 10 a.m. in city council chambers.
Gary Cicero, the city's personnel director, said all were given physicals, drug tests and psychological screenings, in addition to other tests required for employment.
New police officers have a two-week period to get situated before they take to the roads, Cicero said, and firefighters will spend six days adapting before starting regular shifts.
Cuts in 2000: Layoffs and budget cuts in 2000 hit the police and fire departments hardest, leaving reduced crews to protect the city.
"We almost look like a police department again," police Chief John Mandopoulos told council Wednesday. He said hiring for the department will continue.
Voters approved a 0.5-percent income tax increase in May to boost both departments and layoffs were recalled immediately. Some officers and firefighters took jobs elsewhere and did not return to work in Warren.
A sixth police officer, Mark Klaholz, will be sworn in during a ceremony in May.
Cicero said Klaholz, 29, of Boardman, had worked as an officer in Nashville and is awaiting transfer of eligibility papers.
New crew: New firefighters are:
John Jering, 33, of Howland, formerly a Bazetta firefighter.
Jared Thomas, 21, of Cortland, whose father, Marty, is a captain with the department. Jared Thomas' grandfather was also on the Warren squad.
Trevor Robison, 20, of Cortland, who was working for Roper Construction. He is the son of Dave Robison, the city's director of engineering and community development.
Joseph Deuble, 25, of Elyria but originally from Warren, who was working for UPS. Cicero said Deuble had fire training in the Navy.
Christopher Bassetti, 25, of Hubbard, who commutes to Loveland, Ohio, a few days a week where he is a firefighter.
Dennis McGee, 22, of Warren, who was working at Lowe's.
New police officers are:
John Greaver, 28, of Girard, a laid-off Girard police officer.
Jason McCollum, 28, of Warren, a Trumbull County corrections officer.
Kevin Helmick, 28, of Niles, a bailiff at the Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center.
Gerald Hargett, 30, of Stow, an emergency room technician at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna and an undercover agent working for Portage County.
Nicholas Carney, 22, of Girard, a dispatcher for Girard police who has worked as an officer in Hubbard and McDonald.
davis@vindy.com