Inspired and ready: 4 firefighters inducted

By KATIE SEMINARA

The fire department also promoted a veteran to lieutenant.

YOUNGSTOWN — Becoming a firefighter is all about the service, say the four new members of Youngstown Fire Station No. 1.

“I’m looking forward to just helping out the city of Youngstown,” said Mark DiFrangia, who is following the career path of his father.

“It’s been a dream of mine,” he said of becoming a firefighter.

DiFrangia, 31, of Austintown; along with Benjamin Cintron III, 20, of Campbell; Jared Rupert, 24, of Boardman; and Craig Heinz, 30, of Austintown; were sworn in as new city firefighters Friday.

Mayor Jay Williams led the ceremony at Station No. 1 on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

It’s never tiresome to induct new firefighters because they are dedicating time and service to their community, said Williams.

“They come and put their lives on the line at any given point,” said Williams, who expressed his appreciation to the new firefighters and their families for that risk.

Williams also promoted Ben Szmara to the position of lieutenant during the ceremony.

“I always say its important having mentors within all of our departments,” said Williams, as he promoted Szmara.

Szmara, of Cornersburg, has been with the city’s fire department since February 2000.

“I love everything it represents,” Szmara said of his job. “You get a great feeling of satisfaction because you actually help people at work.”

As for the new members of the squad, Szmara said they should learn everything possible and constantly be observing.

The rookies will have the opportunity to start observing right away. “Some of them start at 8 a.m.” today, said Chief John O’Neill.

The YFD is working to fill the spots of those who have recently taken advantage of an early-retirement incentive, said O’Neill. “It’s keeping our strengths up,” he said of the new hires.

All new inductees completed a state firefighter certification, which takes 240 hours. Because they have that certificate, they will get time in the trucks right away, said O’Neill.

For Cintron, starting service quickly is good news.

“I just want to get on the truck when the bell hits and do my job,” Cintron said. “Every time I’d hear about the fire department, it inspired me to do something.”