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The Oswego Fire Department and The Oswego Police Department gathered last Thursday night to celebrate members promoted in rank and to honor those who earned special recognition awards.
This annual Promotion and Recognition Ceremony was held at the Oswego High School’s Robinson-Faust Theatre of the Performing Arts in front of a large crowd of supporters. New Oswego Firefighters Noah Pryor, Logan Abbott, and Colin Comerford all were brought on stage for the Oath of Office and to have badges affixed to their uniform by family members.
Several Oswego Firefighters earned 2025 Life Saving Awards for their swift and calculated actions at emergency scenes this year. Life Saving Award recipients were:
Captain / Paramedic Donald LaBarge,
Lieutenant / Paramedic Stephen Merron,
Lieutenant / Paramedic Kenneth Dolan,
Firefighter / Paramedic Daniel Sparkowski,
Firefighter / Paramedic Jackson Retzlaff,
Firefighter / Paramedic Tyler Calverase,
Firefighter / Paramedic Samantha Hooper,
Firefighter / Paramedic Zachery Curtis,
Firefighter / Paramedic Adyme Ritz-LaRue,
Firefighter / Paramedic Nicholas Beardslee,
Firefighter / Paramedic Brian Johnson,
Firefighter / EMT Cole Ladouceur, and
Firefighter / EMT Logan Abbott.
The Oswego Fire Department also handed out four Annual Recognition Awards. The “EMT of the Year Award” is given annually to the member who characterizes the best attributes of an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic. The “Educator of the Year of Award” is awarded annually to the member who characterizes devotion and commitment to the education, training, and development of others. The “Excellence Award” is awarded annually to the member who characterizes the best attributes of his or her position, typically the Firefighter of the Year. The “Leadership Award” is awarded annually to the Fire Officer who has consistently exhibited leadership by example, team building, and superior managerial qualities. Those awarded are listed below:
2025 EMT of the Year Award – Firefighter / Paramedic Adyme Ritz-LaRue
2025 Educator of the Year Award – Lieutenant / Medic Jason Williams
2025 Excellence Award – Firefighter / Paramedic Daniel Sparkowski
2025 Leadership Award – Deputy Chief / Paramedic Carl Emmons Jr.
City of Oswego Fire Chief Paul Conzone expressed his appreciation for his team, saying “We are so fortunate to have a dedicated, highly trained, and very capable group of Firefighters protecting our residents in the City of Oswego. This ceremony affords us an opportunity to publicly and officially recognize and celebrate the success of our people.”
City of Oswego Mayor Rob Corradino praised the honorees, stating, “Our Firefighters and Police Officers embody the very best of Oswego — courage, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to protecting our community. This ceremony reminds us that behind every badge is a story of service, sacrifice, and pride in keeping Oswego safe.”
