Three Youngstown firefighters get promotions

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mayor Charles Sammarone, for the second time in two weeks, conducted a swearing-in ceremony for safety-services personnel.

The mayor Thursday presided over the promotional ceremony of three members of the Youngstown Fire Department. Late last month, Sammarone swore in the newly appointed police Chief Rod Foley and Law Director Anthony Farris.

The ceremony at the main fire station downtown included promotions for Trevor Toy from firefighter to lieutenant, Eugene Cook from lieutenant to captain, and Ronald Russo from captain to battalion chief. The men took an oath of office and received their badges from the mayor.

Sammarone said the ceremony was especially nice for him because he has known at least one of the men being promoted for a long time and is happy to see good people promoted in the city.

“I have known Ron [Russo] for 30 years, and I am happy to see him promoted,” he said. “It’s always a pleasure to promote not only good firefighters but people you have known for years and watched grow into various positions.”

The department now has 135 firefighters, but Sammarone said it is still short three firefighters. He said those three positions will be filled as soon as fire Chief John O’Neill finishes the hiring process.

O’Neill said he plans to complete the process and hire three firefighters by the end of the month or early next month. He said there are also some expected retirements early next year, which will leave the department short again. Nine other firefighters received their promotions in July.