Groton — Six candidates were officially sworn in as new Poquonnock Bridge firefighters, while three department members were promoted to new positions, during a ceremony Wednesday at the Groton Senior Center.

It represented the largest number of firefighters ever sworn in at a single time in the department's history.

"We're looking for big things from them, and I think we're going to get it," Poquonnock Bridge Fire District Board President Ron Yuhas said. "Our whole department has come together nicely."

Thomas Redden, Michael Hall, Michael Lindy, Michael Swanson, Kyle Mendillo and Justin Parker are the new firefighters. They bring a variety of experiences, come from various areas including New London County, New Haven County and New York, and represent a span of ages from 20s to 40s, Chief Joseph Winski said.

Michael Lowell and Bryan Quilter were promoted to captain, and Michael Bednarz was promoted to fire marshal.

Family members, representatives of area fire and police departments and other officials filled the room at the senior center during the ceremony, which featured a bagpiper from the New London Firefighters Pipes & Drums, speeches and a prayer by Chaplain Bill Herman of the New London County Fire Chiefs' Association.

Six people recently had retired from the Poquonnock Bridge department: Capt. Brian Kiely, Capt. Randy Carroll, Fire Marshal Kale Kiely and firefighters Mark Murphy, Scott Lindy and John Stanford. Winski thanked them and noted that the fire department lost more than 150 years of experience with the retirements.

"It was then our job to move forward with the most qualified candidates available through a competitive hiring process," Winski said. "The result was beyond our expectations."

Deputy Chief Tim Driscoll, who also thanked the retirees, said that after working with the new and promoted members, the concern of losing more than 25% of the department to retirement "has turned into excitement for the start of a new generation of Poquonnock Bridge firefighters."

Susan Aguiar, clerk and treasurer for the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District board of directors, swore in the firefighters, while their families pinned them.

During the ceremony, a moment of silence was held to honor people who passed away in the last year: Alan Ackley, former president and vice president of the board of directors; retired Fire Marshal Michael Richards; retired firefighter Robert Halligan and retired Deputy Chief John Gill.

In thanking the fire department, Town Mayor Patrice Granatosky said it has a special place in the town, as the department protects the town offices, schools, library and senior center. She also thanked the firefighters' families for their service.

In a video message, U.S. Rep Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, noted that the mission of firefighting has changed over the last 20 years going back to 9/11, when there was a new understanding that firefighters are first responders, not just at the local level, but at the national level. In recent years, firefighters also have been at the front lines in responding to the heroin and opioid addiction crisis.

Winski recognized Joe and Tammy de la Cruz, who helped start Community Speaks Out. The organization provides firefighters with resources for families looking for guidance for loved ones struggling with addiction, Winski said.

Joe de la Cruz, who also is a state representative for Groton and New London, said the fire department is a big part of the community and he also thanked the firefighters' families.

During the ceremony, Winski noted the department's relationship with neighboring fire departments, ambulance services, Lawrence + Memorial medics, police departments, 911 dispatchers and town and city administrators. "Our interdependence on one another and the bond that has developed between all of us has made our firefighters and community much safer," he said.

Winski said firefighting is not a job, hobby or a career, but a way of life and the fire department is a family. 

Capt. Michael Lowell, in comments on behalf of the Union Local No. 2704 International Association of Firefighters, also described the fire service as a family.

After the ceremony, Poquonnock Bridge firefighter Kyle Mendillo, 23, who started his career with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe's fire department, said he's been doing a lot of emergency calls during the day and getting a lot of experience working in a very diverse community. "I've had nothing but a good time since I've gotten here," he said.

Firefighter Justin Parker, 22, said both his father and grandfather were firefighters. Parker, who came from the Electric Boat Fire Department, said he's looking forward to learning more every day and also enjoys the family and brotherhood aspect of the fire department. "It's awesome," he said. "Everybody's been really great."

Winski said in an interview that the public can be assured of the protection they need and deserve: "The organization cares about each person out there," he said.

Several years ago, the department faced several issues, from budget to staffing, but Winski said the economy turned at the right time and everyone "hit the reset button."

Winski said everyone worked together as a team — the fire district board, the fire chief's office, the firefighters and the union, along with the public — to move in the right direction, including being consistent with the tax rate, addressing infrastructure needs and seeking federal grants, increasing community outreach and reinstating the five firefighter on-duty minimum. 

"Everyone pulled together to make us a success," Winski said. "They put their differences in the past and moved forward."

k.drelich@theday.com