Three career firefighters received badges reflecting their promotions at the March 12 pinning ceremony hosted by Oconto Fire and Rescue Department.
Josh Bostedt is now deputy chief of OFRD, a new position that is second in command of the department and has decision-making authority when the chief is not available.
“He has certainly earned it through all the hard work and dedication in the past 20 years,” Fire Chief John Reed said.
After his wife, Emily, pinned his badge, Bostedt said it was an honor to be the first deputy chief at OFRD.
“This position is not a dream or even a realization without these individuals you see standing alongside me,” he said, referring to the semicircle of career and paid on-call firefighters around him. “They all bring something to the table … they all bring forth a well-versed knowledge that helps a person to get into a position like this and to be able to make great decisions.”