‘A challenging, dangerous job’

Five new recruits join Greenwich Fire Department

GREENWICH — Five new recruits to the Greenwich Fire Department already bring a range of work-related experience to their new positions.

As they took the oath of office at fire headquarters Monday afternoon, they were told by Fire Chief Joseph McHugh to set their standards high.

“Always continue to learn, read, participate and ask questions,” the chief said. “It’s a challenging, dangerous job, and you have to be at the top of your game. Always learn and give something back to your department.”

Joseph Battinelli is currently a volunteer with the Stamford fire department. A graduate of Stamford High School, he studied at the University of Connecticut. He has been working in property management, and both his father and grandfather were firefighters.

Jennifer Osher studied at Westhill High School and graduated from Columbia College in New York, where she studied French. She has worked on cancer research and is looking to assist on workplace safety issues for the Greenwich department. Osher has also volunteered with the EMS service in Stamford.

Ryan Crook has been working as a construction manager. He also has a background as a volunteer

firefighter, currently serving with the Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department. He is an auto enthusiast who has raced competitively.

Scott Lanahan is a New Jersey native who has worked as a volunteer in a number of fire departments there, most recently in Evesham, N.J. He graduated from the University of New Haven.

Tim Lewis has worked as an emergency medical technician and is a resident of New Milford. A native of Stamford, he is also an EMT instructor and has worked as a contractor in the home-improvement field.

Lewis said he knew a group of Stamford firefighters when he was a high school student, “really great guys.” The idea of becoming a professional firefighter has stayed with him through the years, he said.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Lewis said after being sworn in. “I’m really glad to be here.”

Osher said she was drawn to public service, and working in the fire department was an outgrowth of that.

“I really love helping other people, love helping the community, so the Greenwich Fire Department is one of the best places to do that,” she said.

Noting that his father and grandfather were in the fire service, Battinelli said, “This is a big day for me.”

First Selectman Fred Camillo swore in the new members. The new recruits will undergo an 18-week training regimen.

The new hires are filling openings due to recent retirements in the department.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media First Selectman Fred Camillo swears in new fire department recruits, from left, Jennifer Osher, Joseph Battinelli, Ryan Crook, Scott Lanahan, and Tim Lewis.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media New fire department recruits, from left, Ryan Crook, Time Lewis, Scott Lanahan, Joseph Battinelli, and Jennifer Osher after the Greenwich Fire Department swearing-in ceremony at the Public Safety Complex in Greenwich on Monday.

Greenwich Fire Chief Joseph McHugh speaks at the ceremony.