The Greenwich Fire Dept held a swearing-in ceremony in the Fire Dept training room at 15 Havemeyer Place on Monday for two new members: Sergio Rodrigues and Jefferson Jorge. The event kicked off with presentation of the colors by the Fire Dept Honor Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fire Chief McHugh recognized officials in attendance including First Selectman Camillo, Selectwomen Lauren Rabin and Rachel Khanna, town administrator Kate Buch, Emergency Management director Joe Laucella, and from the Police Dept, Chief Jim Heavey and Deputy Chief Jim Bonney.
“Today is a very special day for two young men,” he said. “When you start off a new career you’re going to be nervous. The Fire Dept is a very fulfilling job. Very rewarding. It’s more than just fighting fires. There are all different emergencies, including car accidents and helping people in distress. Not just firefighting is our job. The whole fire service in general is so much more than putting out fires.”
“And alarms going off – we’re in a town with a lot of alarms in homes, which is a good thing, including early detection of fires and that’s where a lot of our responses,” he said. “And coming soon, a lot of pipes are going to breaking unfortunately, but that is part of our business too.”
McHugh said after 15 weeks at CT Fire Academy the new firefighters will spend 6 or 7 weeks with Training Chief Brainerd and Assistant Chief Lenart.
McHugh said when the new firefighters return from their time at the Fire Academy, they’ll learn their way around Greenwich.
“There’s a lot of Lockwood Lanes and Roads. It is is a very big town. You don’t realize how big it is until you drive around – with about 60 square miles,” he said.
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Mr. Rodrigues attended with his parents Isabel and Aires. He is a 3-year volunteer firefighter from Monroe, CT and has a bachelor of Finance from University of New Haven. His mother Isabel pinned his badge on.
The second candidate, Jefferson Jorge, hails from the Glenville section of Greenwich and graduated from GHS. He went on to attend attend NCC and was a volunteer firefighter in Valhalla, NY. He attended with his wife Melissa and parents, Carlos and Felomena.
Greenwich Fire Dept Chief Joseph McHugh welcomed families and colleagues to the swearing in ceremony in the public safety complex. Monday, Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Fire Dept Chief Joseph McHugh, with newly sworn in Sergio Rodrigues and Jefferson Jorge, as well as Assistant Fire Chief of Operations Tom Lenart and Deputy Chief of Training Ryan Brainerd at the swearing in ceremony in the public safety complex. Monday, Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Newly sworn in members of the Greenwich Fire Dept newly sworn in Sergio Rodrigues and Jefferson Jorge with First Selectman Fred Camillo, and Selectwomen Rachel Khanna and Lauren Rabin. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Aires, Isabel and Sergio Rodrigues with First Selectman Fred Camillo. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jefferson Jorge’s wife Melissa pinned on his badge after he was sworn in by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager.
Jefferson Jorge’s wife Melissa pinned on his badge after he was sworn in by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager.
Sergio Rodrigues was congratulated by his parents Aires and Isabel after being sworn in by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Fire Dept Color Guard at the swearing in ceremony on Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Sergio Rodrigues was congratulated by his parents Aires and Isabel after being sworn in by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
A moment of silence at the Fire Dept swearing in ceremony for members of the firefighting community who have lost their lives. Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Fire Dept Color Guard at the swearing in ceremony on Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Fire Dept Color Guard at the swearing in ceremony on Feb 2, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager