Assistant Chief Dennis Fields Jr. will be taking over the role of Oneida fire chief on May 31. Fire Chief Kevin Salerno will be retiring from the department after 28 years of service to the community.
Salerno joined the department in 1990 as an excited rookie who couldn’t wait for his next work duty day. He climbed the ranks through the years, attaining lieutenant in 1999, then deputy fire chief in 2011. He was appointed chief on Oct. 8, 2013, after former chief Gregg Myers retired following 29 months in the position and 39 years with the department.
Salerno wrote a letter of recommendation for Fields and said he has good ideas that will move the department in a positive direction.