Copperas Cove Fire Department celebrates four promotions with pinning

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Four firefighters with the Copperas Cove Fire Department have advanced in the ranks of the department and were celebrated during a pinning ceremony on Monday afternoon. 

Deputy Chief Stephen Clendenen, Battalion Chief Alan Mainville, Captain Matt Rodgers, and Captain Steven “Ross” Carter were all recognized for their achievements.

Fire Chief Gary Young said that one of the things the department looks at in regard to promotions is a firefighter’s representation of dedication to the service, dedication to the community, and dedication to themselves. 

“Each of the four firefighters that we’ll be recognizing have dedicated many years of their life to the service thus far, and they are all nearer to retirement than they are to the day they started working here, especially the first one that we’ll recognize here. 

“When they come in, they have a career ahead of them when they first get pinned, and the journey that they go through, the ladder that they climb, requires them to obtain a tremendous amount of education certifications.”

Young said that each of them have earned the certifications needed to move up, and some have earned more than needed for the position that they are moving into.

“They’re actually ready for the next step, or the next two steps ahead of them, because of the efforts that they have put into it. Those efforts have been on  their own,” Young said. “However, they have been supported by all of you, whether you’re a friend or you’re a family member. You have been impacted by their advancement in the fire service industry, whether they’ve had to miss football games or miss family activities or just needed somebody to lean upon when times got tough for them, to be assured that they’re making the right choices and that their hard work is well worth it.”

After being sworn in to their new positions, each of the firefighters were pinned with their new badge.

Deputy Chief Clendenen has been with the City of Copperas Cove for nearly 22 years. Captain Mainville has been with the City of Copperas Cove for 23 years. Captain Rodgers has been with the Fire Department for nine years, and Captain Carter has been with the Fire Department for 10 years.