The Willingboro Fire Department recently held a Swearing-In Ceremony for it's newly promoted fire officers and hired firefighters. The ceremony is a fire service tradition at which time the personnel take their official oath to uphold the duties and responsibilities of their new positions. The new officers and firefighters were given their oath by Willingboro Township Mayor Nathaniel Anderson. Also present at the ceremony were other members of the department, along with family and friends of the new personnel. The following personnel were sworn in at the ceremony: Deputy Chief Ken Sitzenstock, Captain Jamie Clark, and Probationary Firefighters Ronald Priest and Bryan Riley.

Deputy Chief Sitzenstock was born in Texas on Sheppard Air Force Base. Ken and his parents moved to Michigan soon after when his father, an airman in the US Air Force, was stationed there. After a few years, his family moved to New Jersey when his father was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base. Ken joined the Willingboro Volunteer Fire Company in 1982.

He was a very active in the fire company and received recognition for his dedication and received the Firefighter of the Year award. During the 10 years that he served the community as a volunteer, he held the position of Fire Commissioner, Lieutenant, Captain and 1st Assistant Chief. In 1992, he was hired as one of the first permanent full-time firefighters for Willingboro Township, and was promoted to Full-Time Captain in 2003. He has also received the following commendations and awards:

A Life Saving Unit Citation
A Life Saving Award
The Board of Fire Commissioner Recognition Award
The William A. Schroeder Memorial Award

Captain Jamie Clark grew up in Buckingham Park section of Willingboro. After seeing the firehouse every single day, Jamie entered the fire service as a very eager junior firefighter at 16 years old on February 14, 1992. He attended the Burlington County Fire Academy and passed the Firefighter I Program in June of 1994. Jamie rose to the rank of Lieutenant when he volunteered with the department. Jamie was hired as a full-time firefighter on September 3, 1999 which brought the full-time staff to 5 personnel.

Captain Clark is currently assigned as the Fire Prevention Coordinator and Duty Crew Officer. He has written various grants for equipment accusation. Jamie has attended multiple classes throughout the State in areas of Instruction, Tactics, Leadership, Management and Public Relations. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2013 to assist with daily operations of the department and on scene management.

Firefighter Ronald Priest has been in the fire service for 13 years, most of which was spent with Cinnaminson Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Captain. Ron is also a member of Riverton Fire Department and spent the last 10 years as a Fire Protection Operator with PSEG Nuclear Fire Department in Salem County.

Ron has attended many training classes and attained many certifications along the way such as Emergency Medical Technician, Hazmat Technician, Rope rescue Technician and Confined Space Technician. Ron joined the Willingboro Fire Department on February 27th, 2016 and is currently serving as a Firefighter on “A” Platoon, under the command of Captain Ramsey and Lt. Friddell.

Firefighter Bryan Riley has been involved with the fire service for 9 years. He spent all 9 of those years with Medford Lakes Fire Department where he was one of the top responders for several of those years. He was also awarded as the Top Responder and Firefighter of The Year for 2010. Bryan obtained his Emergency Medical Technician certification in 2009 and worked as an EMT for 5 years. Prior to being hired as a full-time firefighter by Willingboro, Bryan worked as a bank security investigator with G4S Security.

As a Certified Personal Trainer, Bryan prides himself in being healthy and fit for the demands of the job as well as pushing fellow firefighters to do the same. With the support of his family, longtime friend turned girlfriend, and the guidance of his former Fire Chief/friend, Bryan joined the Willingboro Fire Department on February 27th of this year. He is currently serving as a Firefighter on “B” Platoon under the command of Captain Brian Gardner and Lieutenant Reed Costello.

The ceremony was started by Chief of Department Burnett welcoming the firefighters, families, and guests. Captain Gardner read a brief biography about each new officer and firefighter. Lieutenant Ferrell read the meaning of the Maltese Cross which has a long history in the fire service, and is the shape of the badge worn by all full-time staff. Once the personnel were sworn in by Mayor Anderson, each one had their new badge pinned onto their uniform by a member of their family.

Congratulations are extended to the department's newest fire officers and firefighters. May they be safe during their career with the Willingboro Fire Department.