Norwalk Fire Fighters Assoc. Local 830

The Norwalk Fire Department family grew a little larger on Monday with the hiring of five probationary firefighters and the promotion of another. Firefighter Gene DeAngelis made lieutenant and will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of former Lt. Michael Foley. Probationary Firefighters James Lyons, Antonio O'Marra, Brian Thies, Edward Maher III and Alexander Wilson were also sworn in Monday afternoon during a special ceremony in the fire headquarters garage on Connecticut Avenue. "As very important members of the department retire, we lose some experience and camaraderie," Fire Chief Denis McCarthy said. "We are lucky to be bringing some very capable good men to the department and promoting good men." McCarthy called DeAngelis "a well-respected member of the department" and encouraged his newest recruits to learn from the veteran officers who often go above and beyond the call of duty. "We, as a department, get thanked because our firefighters took the time to hold somebody's hand, to wait for another family member to arrive, to make sure that person was not alone in the most difficult time in their life, "McCarthy told the young firefighters. "You will learn from your brothers behind you how to do that part of the job." The five probationary firefighters were selected out of a pool of 1,000 that applied for the open positions last year, McCarthy said. "It's quite an achievement to be in the top five of 1,000," he said. Wilson, a 2002 graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, joins the department with a degree in liberal studies and a minor in criminal justice. He served four years with the University of Connecticut Fire Department and has six certifications from the Connecticut Fire Academy. Maher earned an associate's degree from Housatonic Community College in general studies and a bachelor's degree from New York University in cultural communications. He has three state fire certifications. Thies is a former police officer with the Wolcott Police Department. He joins the department with three certifications from the Connecticut Fire Academy. Antonio O'Marra is the son of 24-year Norwalk firefighter Marty O'Marra. The 19-year-old recruit attended Fordham University and graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy with two certifications. Lyons is a 2004 graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology and recently completed his 14-week training at the state fire academy with two certifications. Norwalk Fire Commission Chairwoman Carol Andreoli, who swore in the firefighters, said it's always a proud day to welcome new recruits to the department. "It's my favorite part of the job," she said.