Fall River's fire department has new leaders. Here's who got promoted.

Jo C. Goode, The Herald News
·2 min read

FALL RIVER — There is a new era of leadership at the Fall River Fire Department with a total of eight promotions, including new Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon.

The newly promoted firefighters were sworn in on Thursday night before a packed house of friends and families in the City Council Chambers.

In his address, Bacon, who has served in the department for over 21 years, said there are three words that will define his tenure as Fall River Fire Chief – to learn, grow and serve.

Mayor Paul Coogan swears in Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon with his family.
Mayor Paul Coogan swears in Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon with his family.

“You’ll be hearing these words a lot with hopes they will spread throughout the department to start to define who we are,” said Bacon. “Learn, grow and serve will be the challenge and motivation to guide the Fall River Fire Department into the future.”

At the age of 47, Bacon is one of the youngest serving city fire department chiefs.

Fall River Fire Department District Chief David Jennings Jr. and his family at the promotion and swearing in ceremony in Fall River Thursday.
Fall River Fire Department District Chief David Jennings Jr. and his family at the promotion and swearing in ceremony in Fall River Thursday.

At the rank of district fire chief, Bacon’s appointment by Mayor Paul Coogan was approved by the City Council in January.

Fire Lieutenant Alexander Arruda after his swearing in and pinning ceremony Thursday in Fall River.
Fire Lieutenant Alexander Arruda after his swearing in and pinning ceremony Thursday in Fall River.

Fall River Fire Department chief assist Richard Levesque, the right-hand man to 7 Fall River fire chiefs, retiring after 30 years

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New Deputy Chief Neil Furtado is pinned by his parents at the ceremony on Thursday.
New Deputy Chief Neil Furtado is pinned by his parents at the ceremony on Thursday.

Newly appointed Deputy Chief Neil Furtado from the rank of District Chief, said the city was fortunate to have the new leaders on the Fall River Fire Department.

“And to the newly appointed office, remember never stop learning, never stop training and never stop inspiring the men and women on the Fall River Fire Department,” said Furtado.

Newly promoted Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon swears in a group of firefighters who were promoted at a ceremony on Thursday.
Newly promoted Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon swears in a group of firefighters who were promoted at a ceremony on Thursday.

Here are the other promoted Fall River Fire Department officers

  • Fire Captain David Jennings Jr., promoted to District Chief

  • Fire Captain J. P. Picard promoted to District Chief

  • Lieutenant Timothy DeLuz promoted to Fire Captain

  • Lieutenant Jonathan Medeiros promoted to Fire Captain

  • Firefighter Bruce Alves promoted to Fire Lieutenant

  • Firefighter Alexander Arruda promoted to Fire Lieutenant

Bacon said it is unusual to have this many promotions in one fell swoop, but with the recent retirements of the top two men, retired Fall River Fire Chief Roger St. Martin and Deputy Chief William Pappas, “it all trickles down.”

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall river swears in 8 fire department officers including chief Bacon