New London — Fire Chief Henry Kydd has promoted a new battalion chief and lieutenant at the department, filling vacancies created with the recent retirement of former Battalion Chief Marc Melanson.

Firefighter Daniel Sawyer, an eight-year veteran of the fire department, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Lt. Roger Tompkins, who has worked at the department for 31 years, was promoted to the rank of battalion chief.

“As a new battalion chief, he will now be in a position to recommend and institute new innovations, procedures and policies that will help guide the fire department into the future,” Kydd said in a statement.

Tompkins’ brothers, Robert and Daniel, work at the Groton City Fire Department and his nephew, Alfred Mayo, serves with him in New London.

Mayor Michael Passero, recently retired from the fire department, swore in the two during a Dec. 11 ceremony at City Hall.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay