Firefighter promotion ceremony is a joyous occasion

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Lt. Chad Cunningham and Capt. Dave Burdick are ready to take up the responsibilities that come with their new promotions.

Editor

With the retirement of firefighting veteran Captain Greg Holmes, the Belvidere Fire Dept. had an opening for a new captain. Looking within its own ranks, Chief Al Hyser saw that Lt. Dave Burdick was ready to be promoted into a position of more responsibility and authority.

Burdick was first hired to the BFD on Jan. 4, 2001. He was promoted to the position of lieutenant on Aug. 22, 2016. He has been a part of the BFD for 17 years. He is the department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator and runs the probationary firefighter program. He is a former IAFF 1569 Board member. Burdick is a Fire Department Mentor and is Fire Officer I and II Certified.

“First as a lieutenant, and now as a captain,” Burdick said, “You have to make sure that everyone goes home at the end of their shift. Your number one priorities are both to serve the community and to make sure that everyone comes home safely. This whole department, it doesn’t matter which shift, is a great group of individuals. I am proud to be a part of this organization.”

With Burdick’s promotion, the BFD needed a new lieutenant. Again, Chief Hyser looked within its ranks to see that Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Cunningham was ready for promotion.

Cunningham was hired May 31, 2002. He has been a part of the BFD for 16 years. He has been working as an acting lieutenant for the last five years. He is their “Fill the Boot” MDA [Muscular Dystrophy Association] Coordinator, a Fire Dept. Mentor, and is Fire Officer I and II Certified. Cunningham is also a member of the department’s Honor Guard.

“It is great to see Dave get promoted and rewarded for all his hard work over the years. He is an amazing leader,” Cunningham said. “While I have been working as an acting lieutenant for five years now, I am honored by being chosen to step into the full responsibilities the rank holds. I hope to be an asset to the department and the team. It is very exciting. I am looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.”

The Burdick and Cunningham families were…

For complete article, pick up the Dec. 6 Belvidere Republican.