WHITMAN — Newly sworn in Whitman Fire Deputy Chief Al Cunningham and promoted Lt. Nick Grasso were sworn in during the Whitman Board of Selectman’s meeting in a ceremony held at Town Hall Whitman on Tuesday July 9.
Among family, friends and colleagues Chief Timothy Grenno applauded the careers and advancement of both firefighters and acknowledged the work of retiring Deputy Chief Joseph Feeney in his 32-year career in Whitman.
Lt. Nick Grasso was pinned by his wife Jennifer. He was also presented his new helmet shield as commander of shift four from Grenno.
Cunningham was pinned by his wife Kate Cunningham and joined by his adult daughters Emma and Laura.
Grasso is the first firefighter in his family. He pursued a career and has been with the department nearly two decades.
He expressed excitement and the new responsibilities in a department he has grown with starting as a call firefighter in his college years.
I am looking forward to it. I am very appreciative of the town giving me the opportunity,” said Grasso.
Cunningham echoed that excitement for his own new position and the support of colleagues and family. He will be more involved in fire prevention and enforcement as part of his positional change along with working day shifts versus his decades of overnight shifts.
“I am really proud of the department I work for- going on twenty plus years now. I work with such a great bunch of guys that are so good at what they do both on the fire ground and EMS. We know that we can’t save everybody or every building but if there is a chance – that it can be done these guys will do it. I am proud to be second in command,” said Cunningham.