GILROY
– Gilroy Fire Department’s ceremony on Friday bid both hello and
farewell to firefighters.
Nearly 90 people gathered at Gilroy Senior Center Friday evening
to honor the fire department’s new hires and promotions. The
hour-long ceremony also marked the last official action of outgoing
Fire Chief Jeff Clet.
GILROY – Gilroy Fire Department’s ceremony on Friday bid both hello and farewell to firefighters.
Nearly 90 people gathered at Gilroy Senior Center Friday evening to honor the fire department’s new hires and promotions. The hour-long ceremony also marked the last official action of outgoing Fire Chief Jeff Clet.
“What a night of mixed emotions,” Clet said in his opening speech.
Clet spoke highly of Gilroy’s sense of community and congratulated the night’s honorees. Today marks his first day as fire chief at San Jose Fire Department, where he previously worked for 21 years.
The new hires are Division Chief Charles Hurley, part-time firefighter Michael Ortolan, and Firefighters/Paramedics Kevin Bebee, Troy Dooley, David Gutierrez and Tim Pettit. Tim Price and Robert Silvia were promoted to firefighter/paramedic, and Joshua Valverde was promoted to fire captain. Ten new fire department volunteers were recognized.
The ceremony also introduced Interim Fire Chief Hugh Holden. Holden, who had retired from fire service, used to be fire chief in Mountain View. He has previous experience serving as interim chief in Gilroy and San Mateo.
“The department is very active now. My goal is to keep the different irons in the fire,” Holden said.
Division Chief Phil King was master of ceremonies for the event, while Clet gave brief introductions to the honorees.
It was a proud night for many as family and friends pinned badges on the honorees. Hurley was pinned by his brother Tom, who also provided the event’s hors d’oeuvres from his restaurant in Portland, Ore. Bebee was pinned by Bob Spisak, a fire engineer who sustained a neck fracture. Bebee had helped to treat his injuries.
“We’re all a part of a crew,” said Bebee, who was a volunteer firefighter at the time. “It’s an honor for me to have him pin a badge on me.”
While professional firefighters were given badges, volunteers were presented with department shirts.
“It’s really cool that they take time out to honor us at this ceremony,” said Jason Boudreault, president of the organization. “It makes you feel like an important part of the department.”
Volunteers assist the department primarily in public education programs and events.
“If it wasn’t for our volunteers, we wouldn’t have the outreach in Gilroy that we have,” said Yvette Phillips, a fire education specialist with the GFD.
While the ceremony was held in honor of new hires and promotions, Clet’s imminent move to San Jose was a topic on many people’s minds.
“He was instrumental in getting many of these folks selected,” said Geoff Cady, Fire/Emergency Medical Services Analyst. “He asked us to put more emphasis on the promotions and hires, but it would be difficult not to recognize (his hiring by San Jose) as a prestigious event.”
At the end of the ceremony, Clet was presented with a photo frame containing pictures of his time in Gilroy as well as his badges. Clet said he was optimistic about the fire department’s future.
“I’m leaving the city in good hands,” he said in closing. “This department is on the path to continued success, no matter who’s on top. As the city conducts its search for a new fire chief, I wouldn’t be surprised if they selected someone from this department.”
The search for a new fire chief for Gilroy is expected to take six to nine months.
