The Bridgeport Fire Department on Wednesday held its first promotion and swearing-in ceremony since the pandemic began, honoring a firefighter for his service to the community and the U.S.

Andrew Fierlit has been a firefighter with the Bridgeport Fire Department for 22 years and in the Army Reserve for more than three decades.

 

For the last nine months, Fierlit says he's been deployed in Iraq, where he ran a large air base. Fire Chief Richard Thode says Fierlit is the highest-ranking military officer in the department.

Because of the pandemic, the ceremony had to be pushed back from June. But now Fierlit could attend it in-person. He has been promoted to captain, along with dozens of others receiving promotions.

 

Officials say 27 new firefighters joined the department.

Fierlit's first day as captain will be on Sept. 15.