Photo Caption: Seventeen new Bayonne firefighters were sworn in at a ceremony in the City Council Chambers.  They posed with Public Safety Director Robert Kubert and Fire Chief Keith Weaver.  Pictured left to right in the front row: Director Kubert, Firefighters James Ashe, Christopher Ruh, Damien Mangine, Victoria Zimbardo, Lacey Gillen, Justin Fitzpatrick, Jason Caposello, Payton Micewicz, and Alexander Amaral.  Pictured left to right in the back row: Firefighters Andrew Doherty, John Bonvenca, Robert Schork, Luke Anderson, Anthony Passariello, John Walter, Hector Quiroz, Gregory Damico, and Chief Weaver. 

On June 13, seventeen new Bayonne firefighters were sworn in at a graduation and awards ceremony in the Bayonne City Council Chambers.   City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oath of office to the new firefighters before a crowd of more than 200 people. For the first time in Bayonne history, two sisters, Lacey Gillen and Payton Micewicz, were sworn in as firefighters.  At the same ceremony, the Fire Department honored former Chief Gregory Rogers and presented valor awards to Captain Matthew Kemple and Firefighter Erik Lyman.

State Assemblyman Will Sampson IV, Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, and Second Ward Council Member Jacqueline Weimmer offered congratulations and best wishes to the new firefighters and their families. 

New Firefighter Luke Anderson, the Associate Pastor of World Harvest Fellowship Church of Bayonne, offered the invocation. 

Captain Donald Haiber and Captain Sean Boyle introduced the new firefighters.

Firefighter Alexander Amaral is a graduate of High Tech High School.  He graduated from Rowan University, where he majored in Computer and Informatics.

Firefighter Luke Anderson is an alumnus of Rainforest International School.  Later, he studied International Relations at Bethel University and completed a Master of Theological Studies at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary.

Firefighter James Andrew Ashe is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep.  Later, he attended the University of Tampa, where he majored in Criminal Justice.

Firefighter John Bonvenca is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He was employed previously by NJ Transit as a locomotive engineer.

Firefighter Jason Caposello is an alumnus of St. Peter’s Prep.  He continued his education at St. Peter’s University and New Jersey City University.

Firefighter Gregory Damico is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at Rutgers University.  He graduated from New York Law School. 

Firefighter Andrew Doherty is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep.  He also attended Rutgers University, where he majored in Economics.

Firefighter Justin Fitzpatrick is an alumnus of Bayonne High School. He also attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and St. Peter’s University, majoring in Criminal Justice.

Firefighter Lacey Gillen is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  At Montclair State University, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Firefighter Damien Mangine is an alumnus of Woodbridge High School.  He attended Middlesex County Community College, majoring in Criminal Justice and Liberal Arts.

Firefighter Payton Micewicz is a graduate of Holy Family Academy.  She attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hudson County Community College, and New Jersey City University, majoring in Graphic Design.

Firefighter Anthony Passariello is an alumnus of Marist High School.  He attended Rutgers University, majoring in Business Analytics and Information Technology.

Firefighter Hector Quiroz attended Gateway High School and Osceola High Scholl in Kissimmee, Florida.  He graduated from Hudson County Community College with a major in Computer Arts.  

Firefighter Christopher Ruh is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep.  He attended New Jersey City University, Hudson County Community College, and Montclair State University, majoring in Sociology.

Firefighter Robert Schork is a graduate of Cranford High School.  He attended Central State University.   

Firefighter John Walter is an alumnus of Bayonne High School.

Firefighter Victoria Zimbardo is a graduate of Bayonne High School.

The new class of firefighters was named in honor of former Fire Chief Gregory Rogers.  At the ceremony, Rogers described firefighting as “the best profession in the world.”  He served in the Fire Department from 1980 to 2016.  Rogers said that the job still gave him “that same thrill” after thirty-five years.  Rogers encouraged the new recruits to participate in all events and to stay in shape for the rest of their careers.  Chief Weaver said that Chief Rogers led the department during Hurricane Sandy, when firefighters responded to 1,100 calls for service.  Under Chief Rogers’ leadership, the Bayonne Fire Department obtained $10 million in grants.  During his tenure, the department enlisted its first female firefighter.

At the ceremony, the department presented a Class A Award to Captain Matthew Kemple.  During a visit to Virginia Beach, Captain Kemple rescued a 17-year-old girl from 300 yards out in the Atlantic Ocean.

The department presented a Class B Award to Firefighter Erik Lyman.  Called to the scene of a fire on East 15th Street, Firefighter Lyman mounted a ladder to rescue people who were trapped on the third floor of a burning building.

Rev. Dorothy Patterson of the Wallace Temple A.M.E. Zion Church offered the benediction to close the program.