NORTH SMITHFIELD – Members of North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Service, Inc. held an overdue celebration this week, honoring three firefighters promoted during the past year and a half.
A group of around 50 guests, including staff from the department and their families, gathered at Village Haven Restaurant on Friday, Sept 24 to honor Lt. Thomas McCooey, Lt. Eric Lambert and Capt. Brian Gartland.
McCooey, who has worked for the department since 2010, was promoted from firefighter to lieutenant in March of 2020.
“Obviously, because of COVID, we weren’t able to do a celebration,” explained Chief David Chartier.
Gartland, a graduate of Anna Maria College with a master of public administration in fire science, was hired in 2002, and has served as the department’s fire marshal. He was promoted from lieutenant to captain in October of last year.
Lambert, a firefighter in North Smithfield since 2012, was also promoted that month.
The three men filled vacancies created by two retirements and one member of the department who left to serve elsewhere. Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski led a ceremonial swearing in of those recently promoted.
