OSWEGO – Former Oswego Fire Chief Randy Griffin stepped down from his post yesterday; making way for new incumbent Paul Conzone to become Oswego’s newest Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management during a swearing in ceremony, Friday, Nov. 18.
Mayor Billy Barlow Jr. officiated the event, overseeing the installation of Conzone and other fire department official positions as well.
Conzone is currently in his 15th year of service with the department, first coming to Oswego as a firefighter in 2007, then promoted to Lieutenant in 2013, Captain in 2017, Deputy Chief in 2019, and currently serving as Assistant Chief.
Conzone graduated from Oswego High School in 1991 and attended SUNY Oswego. In addition to his duties with the city, Conzone also serves as Director of Safety for the Oswego Speedway.
“Paul Conzone has consistently served in leadership roles at the Oswego Fire Department, understands our community’s greatest threats and vulnerabilities and knows what more we need to do to best protect our citizens and improve our fire department,” Barlow said. “In addition, he has the well-earned respect of his peers, values constituent relations, and will work in sync with other city departments. I have every confidence he will execute his new role as Fire Chief with honor, integrity, dedication, and humility. I look forward to working with him and all the fine folks at the Oswego Fire Department for my remaining time in office.”
Griffin who is set to retire, said his farewells before handing over the reins, thanking Mayor Barlow and city officials for their work and support and help in helping the Fire Department evolve into what it is today, while solidifying his trust and confidence in the future of the department.
“I am just one of a thousand of protectors of this community for the last 146 years of fire service here in Oswego. I’m very proud and humbled as I stand before you today as Chief of this department. As I stand before you today, I am very pleased to present to you a very capable, accomplished and dedicated group of individuals that make up this fire department,” Griffin said. “I thank the mayor for his vision on what could be done. I thank the Council and the community for your support the last five years. Without any doubt, I have confidence in [Conzone’s] ability to aid and protect the citizens of the City of Oswego for today and to the future.”
Barlow thanked Griffin for his tireless work in overcoming several challenges the department faced when first coming on board, honoring the Fire Chief”s diligence and tireless efforts in creating a department of distinguished honor.
“Chief Griffin was more to me and more to this city than any other fire chief. He was an exceptional leader, he was a key advisor to my administration, he became a mentor to some here at the department, and was a great ambassador for our community, the fire service and the fire-fighting profession,” Barlow said. “Thank you Chief for your service, all you’ve done for me personally and all you did for this community these last five years professionally.”
During the ceremony, Mayor Billy Barlow also recognized the on-duty Oswego fire-fighters, former Oswego Fire Chiefs attending yesterday’s event, and Paul Conzone’s father, former Oswego Fire Department Captain Tom Conzone.
Canzone thanked city officials, family members, Griffin, and fellow firefighters for their hard work and dedication to the department.
“To the firefighters and officers of the Oswego Department, thank you. You are, have always been, and will continue to be the backbone of this department. Without your bravery, hard work, dedication and training, we would be a stagnant and mediocre organization. Be proud. You are some of the finest and most capable people I know, and I have the utmost confidence in you and in turn, our team,” Conzone said.
“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve my hometown as Fire Chief. I appreciate the support of Mayor Barlow and Chief Griffin, and I look forward to working alongside our outstanding Firefighters and Fire Officers to carry out the mission, vision, and values of the Oswego Fire Department.”
Conzone will be the twelfth Fire Chief in the 146-year history of the Oswego Fire Department. Conzine currently lives in Oswego with his wife Charity and children Matt and Emily.
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