Burgess sworn in as new city fire chief to succeed Newgent

Sworn in Tuesday evening as the new City of Greencastle fire chief is John Burgess (left) as Mayor Bill Dory does the honors at the outset of the city's first Council meeting of 2016.

After 16 years as Greencastle fire chief, Bill Newgent's tenure came to an end Tuesday night.

That's when new Mayor Bill Dory officially swore in John Burgess, the former assistant fire chief, as the new leader of the Greencastle Fire Department (GFD) during a ceremony at the outset of the first City Council meeting of 2016.

Dory also swore in collectively the city's returning department heads -- Ernie Phillips, Cemetery; Rod Weinschenk, Parks and Recreation; Shannon Norman, city planner; Brad Phillips, Department of Public Works; Rob Lovell, Water and Wastewater; and Laurie Hardwick, city attorney. Police Chief Tom Sutherlin was unable to attend.

Newgent is retiring from the fire department to pursue other ventures, and his final day will be Jan. 22.

A public reception for Newgent, a member of the City Fire Department for the past 23 years, is planned for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the firehouse.

Burgess, who celebrated 20 years with GFD in November, was named assistant chief in March 2014, succeeding Jeff Mace upon his retirement from the department.

Asked to step to the City Hall podium Tuesday night to converse with the City Council, Burgess told city officials Newgent is planning to stay on as a fire reserve and will continue as a liaison to the district team.

"Welcome," Council President Adam Cohen said to Burgess, "we're excited to have you."

New Greencastle Fire Chief John Burgess (left) is congratulated by his predecessor, Bill Newgent, after being sworn in as the new fire chief Tuesday night. Newgent is retiring from the department Jan. 22 after 16 years as chief and 23 years with GFD.

Cohen regretted Tuesday night not getting a chance yet to thank Newgent "properly for all his years of terrific service." That will come soon, he assured.

"So he's not walking completely away?" new Councilman-at-large Dave Murray asked.

"No," Burgess responded, "we're not going to let him do that."

Greencastle will continue to be the Regional Command Center for area fire departments, Burgess said. Councilmen noted that other than Greencastle, the closest paid fire departments are in Brazil, Crawfordsville, Avon and Plainfield.

A 1984 North Putnam High School graduate, Burgess started in the fire service in May 1987 with the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department and was hired by GFD in November 1995.

An EMT-B, fire instructor, fire investigator and hazardous materials technician, Burgess has served as the department's hazmat coordinator. He is also the first aid and CPR instructor for GFD.

The new chief and his wife Tammy are the parents of three sons, John, Patrick and Brandon.