Friday, April 19, 2024

Connect with us:

Two Lansing firefighters promoted

LANSING, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – The Lansing Fire Department promoted two of its own during Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting, swearing in Martin Burns and Joe Szerletich to their new positions.

Joe Szerletich

Szerletich joined the Lansing Fire Department in 2016 as a Firefighter, and was promoted to the rank of Engineer on Tuesday. Lansing Fire Chief Chad Kooyenga praised Szerletich’s role in bringing powered cots to the LFD’s equipment inventory.

“He’s been a great addition to the department, first as a Firefighter and now as an Engineer, we’re excited for the route he’s going,” said Lansing Fire Chief Chad Kooyenga.

firefighter
Joe Szerletich (left) swears an oath at his promotion before the Village Board of Trustees on Tuesday night. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Martin Burns

Burns joined LFD in 2006, and has served most recently as an Engineer until his promotion on Tuesday to Lieutenant.

Kooyenga spoke highly of Burns’ mechanical gifts, praising his “on-the-spot” repair capability and citing a recent example of Burns replacing a turn signal on one of LFD’s vehicles with only a screwdriver.

Burns will lead the department’s “Red Shift.”

firefighter
Newly-sworn LFD Lieutenant Martin Burns (left) shakes hands with Chief Chad Kooyenga on Tuesday night. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Both men had family present and were recognized by all in attendance with a round of applause after they swore their oaths.

More information about the Lansing Fire Department is available at the Village of Lansing website.

Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.