logo
Google Play App Store
Log In subscribe and/or renew Eeditions
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
Westfield Fire Department Swears In New Members
TAKING THE OATH...Nine members of the Westfield Fire Department, including the town’s first female firefighter, were publicly sworn in on Tuesday during a regular meeting of the Westfield mayor and council. Katie Moen
Main, News
By KATIE MOEN on
October 26, 2023
Westfield Fire Department Swears In New Members

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Fire Department celebrated a major milestone this week when it officially welcomed its first full-time female firefighter, Valerie Aguirre, to the ranks.

“Prior to joining the Westfield Fire Department, Valerie was employed with the Scotch Plains Police Department, where she was responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public order and enacting public safety,” said Fire Chief Michael Duelks, adding that Ms. Aguirre began her firefighting career with a forest-fire company back in 2015. “Valerie, I hope you will have a long and successful career with the Westfield Fire Department,” Chief Duelks remarked.

Ms. Aguirre joined eight other members of the department up on the dais Tuesday for a special swearingin ceremony held during a regular meeting of the mayor and council.

“This a historic night for all of us here,” Mayor Shelley Brindle said. “The department has now reached its highest staffing level in 16 years.”

Three long-time Westfield firefighters — Robert Sawicki, John Gura and Craig Manning — were recognized for their recent promotions within the department and were officially sworn in to their new positions at the start of the evening’s proceedings. Firefighters Gura and Manning were both promoted to the rank of captain, while Firefighter Sawicki, who has served with the department since 2005, was welcomed as the organization’s new deputy chief. Six other members of the department, including Ms.Aguirre, were sworn in as probationary firefighters. The six new recruits will each be issued their badges as full-fledged firefighters after one year of service to the department, Chief Duelks said.

“This [staff] expansion will increase our department’s capabilities, ensuring that we maintain the highest bar of emergency response levels for our residents,” Chief Duelks said before thanking the council, the police department and the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad for their continued support and dedication to the community.

Several residents, including multiple student athletes from Westfield High School, took to the podium during the legislative portion of Tuesday night’s meeting to voice their support for the Edison Fields turf project and to encourage residents to vote “yes” on the upcoming referendum.

“This season, numerous practices have been cancelled due to the unsafe conditions on the uneven, muddy field behind Edison,” said student Nolan Daly, a Westfield senior and a member of the Blue Devils Marching Band. “These sub-par facilities hinder our athletes and performers from reaching our full potential despite the exceptional staff, coaches and equipment that Westfield is able to provide.”

The project, along with other new developments like One Westfield Place, has taken center stage in this year’s election season.

“One of the most frequently-asked questions we hear is why the town can’t simply upgrade and maintain its existing grass fields, which is not a viable solution without the supplement of artificial turf, and I think the information is worth repeating,” Mayor Brindle said. “Over the past two years, we have obtained the input of three independent, professional experts, to ultimately arrive at the current Edison Fields proposal and the conclusion that lighted turf fields are the most fiscally-prudent option to achieve our field usage goal, grounded in the reality that it’s not practical to rely solely on grass fields where demand far exceeds capacity.”

The referendum question will appear on the Tuesday, November 7 General Election ballot.

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Most Read
Vacant Office Building to Be Reconstructed on Central Ave.
News
Vacant Office Building to Be Reconstructed on Central Ave.
By KATIE MOEN 
Thursday, May 8, 2025
WESTFIELD — A long-vacated, two-story office building at the intersection of Central and Lenox Avenues will be torn down and rebuilt to make way for n...
this is a test
SP-F Board Member Steps Down After 15 Years of Service
Main, News
SP-F Board Member Steps Down After 15 Years of Service
By MADOLYN LAURINE 
Thursday, May 8, 2025
SCOTCH PLAINS — The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education met Tuesday to announce various staffing and financial changes in the district, including...
this is a test
Zoning Board Addresses Undersized Lot Challenges
News
Zoning Board Addresses Undersized Lot Challenges
By MADOLYN LAURINE 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
WESTFIELD — Two properties in the Greater Business 3 Zone continued to trouble the Westfield Zoning Board of Adjustment Monday, as the board debated t...
this is a test
Westfield Council Introduces New OWP Redevelopment Agreement
Main, News
Westfield Council Introduces New OWP Redevelopment Agreement
By KATIE MOEN 
Thursday, May 15, 2025
WESTFIELD — On Tuesday, the Westfield Town Council passed an amended redevelopment agreement in connection with One Westfield Place (OWP) that would r...
this is a test
Westfield Advances Affordable-Housing Plan
Main, News
Westfield Advances Affordable-Housing Plan
By KATIE MOEN 
Thursday, May 15, 2025
195-233 Elm Street(Stop & Shop): 70 total units, 14 affordable 544-576 North Avenue East (formerly Stuart’s Audio): 54 total units, 11 affordable 221-...
this is a test
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader