One of the traditions Chief Tony Stewart wanted to bring back to Kingfisher Fire Department was a public ceremony to commemorate the promotions of his firemen.

One such ceremony took place Saturday morning at Kingfisher Memorial Library as two firemen officially received the rank of lieutenant and another of captain.

Recently promoted to lieutenant were Taylor Farris and Landon Timmons.

Mitch Tollefson was promoted to captain.

On hand for the ceremony, conducted by Stewart, were family members of each firemen as well as several of their peers at the department.

Also in the crowd were Mayor Geoff Covalt and city commissioners Debbie Burpo, Kyle Mecklenburg and Kaci Farrar.

Joining Stewart in speaking to the crowd were State Rep. Mike Dobrinski and City Manager Jim Thomas.

“Any sort of public service is important. The commitment it takes to do it is never easy,” Dobrinski said.

“Most of us that serve in some form of public capacity do it for a limited time,” noting his position and that of mayor have their term limits.

“The public service you all have chosen to do is a career, a lifetime.

“On top of that, most of us when we take a pledge to serve the public do not state that we’re willing to lay down our lives for others and that certainly is not lost on me.”

Dobrinski also made note that a service job isn’t just performed by those in uniform or those in office.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your service. More importantly, thanks to your wife and your family because everybody is going to be in on this,” Dobrinski said.

Thomas has three decades in city government and his oldest son is also a police sergeant with the City of Chicago.

He used a Ronald Reagan quote when addressing the firemen: “We need more leadership today, not labels.”

Added Thomas: “You’re going to be given a label today, but most of all you’re going to be leaders.”

He said it’s an important role.

“I can tell you that whether you’re a town of 5,000 or of 50,000, the challenges you’re going to have here are just the same,” he said. “You’re here to preserve and to protect lives.”

Thomas also offered advice as the new officers move forward in their careers.

“Continue to learn,” he said. “As you train those underneath you, realize that there’s always room to continue to learn.”

Family members joined each of the three firemen, assisting them in pinning their new badges and pins to their uniforms.

Stewart administered an oath to each of the three prior to a reception that included cakes and punch.