Town Celebrates new Police and Fire Deputy Chiefs

The East Greenwich Town Council on Monday held a swearing-in ceremony for two members of the town's police and fire departments who were each promoted to the rank of deputy chief from the rank of lieutenant. 

Stanley Cirella is a 19 year veteran of the police department and has amassed a number of awards and commendations during his highly-decorated career, said Police Chief Steve Brown. 

Cirella graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in 1995 and was transferred to the detective division in 2009. A year later, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and in 2012, he was promoted once again again to the rank of lieutenant.

A graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School, Cirella has a bachelors in administration of justice from Roger Williams University and a masters degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati. 

Cirella has also served as the local union steward and president since 2002 and has been lauded for lifesaving actions multiple times, including recognition by the Town Council in 1998 and in 2005 and a state lifesaving medal from then-Governor Donald Carcieri in 2005.

For the Fire Department, Fire Chief Russell McGillivray said his new deputy fire chief, Michael Sullivan, a 25-year veteran of the fire department.

He's also a graduate of East Greenwich High School, graduating in 1979 and was a star hockey player, serving as co-captain in his senior year.

He joined the the-then East Greenwich Fire District department full time in 1989 after starting as a volunteer a year earlier and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2005.

As a firefighter, he's served on the honor guard and has earned several awards for lifesaving and brave actions, including the department's own Award of Valor and the American Legion's Heroism Medal for his actions at the Trafalgar East apartment fire in 2011 during which he rescued a fellow firefighter that had fallen through the roof during ventilation operations.

He also responded to the Station Nightclub Fire, "traveling back and forth to the scene," transporting three patients to area hospitals, McGillivray said.

Along with the acts of bravery, Sullivan, a motorcycle enthusiast, has a lengthy list of specialities and certifications that make him an extremely valuable member of the department, McGillivray said.

Both men were sworn-in and received new badges at a ceremony attended by friends and family at the start of Monday's Town Council meeting.

Congrats to all!