John Quigley Jr. promoted to battalion chief, Ryan Stamm to captain
OCEAN CITY — It was a day of transition Thursday when Bernard Walker was sworn in as the 11th chief in the 133-year history of the Ocean City Fire Department.
It also marked the first time in more than 30 years that as one chief — James Smith — retired, a new chief was there to take the reins.
The evening ceremony, in front of the OCFD headquarters at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue where a ladder truck was flying a massive American flag as the backdrop, also elevated John Quigley Jr. to the rank of battalion chief and Ryan Stamm to the rank of captain.
Smith thanked Mayor Jay Gillian for the smooth transition, saying it was the first time in more than three decades that the department had a fire chief named and ready to take control as the outgoing chief left.
“The department and community will benefit from this seamless transition,” Smith said, noting when he was promoted to fire chief, one of his priorities was to fortify the swearing-in process, a tradition that was missing and was essential to be returned.
Smith said the OCFD is one of the finest fire departments in the state of New Jersey and one of only 1.5 percent of the 40,000 departments nationwide to receive ISO Class 1 rating.
The outgoing chief said there has been significant growth and development in the department, rooted in a model in place since the early 1990s under former chiefs Todd Bauer and Joe Foglio and continued under Chris Murray.
Smith pointed out the department enjoys the “highest and strongest” staffing in its history thanks to the support from the mayor, his administration and City Council.
He said his message to the community is “thank you. Thank you for your unwavering support and gratitude you constantly share with us. It can be difficult at times when you arrive at an emergency and you personally know the people directly impacted by the incident. However, it can be equally comforting when our citizens recognize us and realize they were in excellent hands.
“Our members are compassionate, professional, talented and fun-loving and make the fire chief’s job easy,” he said.
Personally, he said he was thankful for being able to serve “such a wonderful community. Our job as a firefighter is a calling. We are fortunate to have the best job in the world. Throughout my career I’ve experienced fatal fires, water rescues, fatal car accidents, countless medical calls, nor’easters and Superstorm Sandy. Every one of these calls was handled by true professionals.”
His biggest goal when he began his firefighting career and as he rose through the ranks was to leave it better than when he found it.
“Our department is in great hands moving forward under Chief Walker, and I know that I succeeded in my goal.”
Gillian thanked Smith for helping the city maintain “a first-class operation.”
“We’re all better off because of (Smith’s) good work,” he said, adding that Walker “is going to be a great new fire chief. Bernie brings experience, professionalism and enthusiasm to the job and we’re blessed to have him. He will be the 11th chief in the 133 years of the Ocean City Fire Department.
“They say when a person becomes a firefighter, the greatest act of bravery has been accomplished,” Gillian said. “What they do after that is all in the line of work. These are public servants who are ready to risk their lives every day to protect us and our property. We should all be thankful.”
Walker congratulated Smith on his 30 years of dedicated service to the community.
The new chief recognized his wife, Rachel, and their children — Lea, 16, and Joseph, 13 — his parents, family, friends and the members of the department, while thanking the mayor, administration and City Council.
Walker said he is excited and privileged to be the new chief, calling it a “tremendous honor” that comes with “great responsibility.”
“Providing unparalleled fire protection, rescue capabilities and emergency medical services, while continue to ensure employee well-being and positive community interaction has been, and will continue to be, the focus of the department,” Walker said.
To accomplish the mission, the leadership and members must work as a team, on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He said he looks forward to working with the administration, community stakeholders, mutual aid departments and the men and women of the OCFD “to continue to provide the high level of fire protection and emergency response that the residents and visitors of Ocean City have become accustomed.
Walker then swore in Quigley as battalion chief and Stamm as captain.
With Quigley were his wife, Kim, and their children, daughter Lily, 6, son Luke, 10. Standing with Stamm were his wife, Liz, Anna, 18, John, 16, and Carolyn, 13.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
