News in Cortland NY
The City of Cortland Fire Department is pleased to announce the promotion of three career firefighters to the rank of captain.
The newly promoted captains, Morgan Jones, Thomas Owen and Thomas Casterline began their official duties after being sworn in by Mayor Mary Leonard in a ceremony held at the City's station June 2, 2003.
(L-R) Captain Thomas Owen, Mayor Mary Leonard, Captain Thomas Casterline, Captain Morgan Jones, Chief Dennis Baron
Morgan Jones served as a volunteer firefighter in neighboring communities for several years prior to his appointment with the city fire department. 16 years ago. In addition to being an EMT ( Emergency Medical Technician) and a Code Enforcement Officer, he is on the Confined Space Rescue Team, the Cortland City and County Hazardous Materials Response Team, the Cortland Paid Firefighters Scholarship Committee and helps keep the computers for the fire department up-to-date. Captain Jones will be assigned as a shift officer. He is the father of two grown children and lives in Homer with his wife Jennifer.
Thomas Owen has been with the department for over 14 years following volunteer service with the Cortlandville Fire Department. Captain Owen is and EMT and Code Enforcement Officer and is a member of the Confined Space Rescue Team, the Cortland City and County Hazardous Materials Reposnse Team, the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program and the Cortland County Fire Advisory Board. He is active in Public Safety Education and Fire Prevention and will be the department's new training officer. Owen lives in East Freetown with his wife Terry and three children.
Thomas Casterline, previously a volunteer for the city, joined the career staff eight years ago, proudly following in the footsteps of his father, Captain Ken Casterline. An EMT, Code Enforcement Officer, member of the Confined Space Rescue Team, Captain Thomas is also co-chairman of Fire Prevention Week Open House and a SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) Maintenance Technician. He will be assigned as a shift officer. Casterline lives in the City of Cortland with his wife Terri and two children.
The new captains fill the vacancies created by the retirement earlier this year of Captain Robert Duell, Paul Gower and James Button. Captains Jones, Owens and Casterline will attend New York City's Front Line Officer School in February 2004.