Fire Department Swears in New Lieutenants, Honors Other Members at Thursday Ceremony

Town Manager Sarah Stanton swore four new lieutenants into service on the Bedford Fire Department as Fire Chief David Grunes watched. Pictured (l-r) Brian Oates and his father, retired firefighter Bob Oates; the son and grandson of the late firefighter Anthony Busa; Nick Anderson; and John Perry.

Four new lieutenants were sworn into service with the Bedford Fire Department in ceremonies Thursday evening. Dozens of firefighters attended, and many of them were recognized for individual highlights and length of service.

Two of the new officers “honor the generational commitment to the department,” said Fire Chief David Grunes. Matthew Busa is the grandson of the late Anthony Busa, who also was a lieutenant. Brian Oates is the son of retired firefighter Bob Oates. The other new lieutenants are Nick Anderson and John Perry.

Town Manager Sarah Stanton, who helped develop the employee appreciation event, joined Grunes to administer the firefighter’s oath to two new members of the force: Demarko Cabral and Brendan Shea. Each took an oath “to protect and care for the citizens of the Town of Bedford” and referenced “the Bedford Fire Department core values of safety, trust, respect, integrity, and professionalism.”

Capt. Mark Sullivan was recognized for 25 years with the department. Cited for 20 years of service were Anderson, Capt. John Daniels, Lt. Scott Ricker, and three firefighters, Matt Hansen, Dana Park, and David Dillen.

Six members of the department were recognized with a team award for a life-saving incident last March: Lt. Michael Bauman, firefighters Sam Panzeri, Pat Stewart, and Chris Gonzalez, Busa, and Park. Similarly, eight men were cited for their response to a life-saving incident in June: Firefighters Shaun Kennery, Cabral, Gonzalez, Oates, Perry, Ricker, Shea, and Sullivan.