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Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony
The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) promoted three firefighters to the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief at a special ceremony on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at the District’s Administrative office.
Joined by OFPD Trustees DJ Jeffers and Bridget Tolan, Commissioners Brian O’Neill and Mohammed Jaber, and District Firefighters and Local 2750, Interim Fire Chief John Purtill oversaw the Oath of Office ceremony for Jennifer Logan to the rank of Engineer, Joseph Miller to the rank of Lieutenant, and Thomas Panzica to the rank of Battalion Chief.
Firefighters and the families of the three Firefighters joined in the ceremony. Family members pinned the promotions on each of the recipients.
“These promotions signify more than a welcome, more than a new title or insignia. It represents years of dedication, continuous learning, improvement and mastery of critical skills needed for these demanding roles,” Purtill said in opening the ceremony following the posting of the Colors.
More photos will be available on the Orland Fire Protection District’s Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/OrlandFireProtectionDistrict
“Becoming an Engineer, Lieutenant, and Battalion Chief is a testament to their hard work and commitment to better themselves, thus bettering the district.”
Fire District Chaplain and Pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene John Vogel offered the invocation. The Oath of Office was administered to Logan, Miller and Panzica by Commissioner O’Neill.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to honor and thank Jennifer Logan, Fire Fighter Joseph Miller, and Lieutenant Thomas Panzica, first, for their dedication in those roles, and second, for the personal sacrifice made to bring these ideas to others,” Vogel said.
Purtill offered perspective on the importance of each rank for each of the recipients.
“The engineer’s role is essential to operations. They are the core of the fire apparatus, responsible for driving and maintaining the engine, operating complex pump systems and ensuring a reliable water supply to each incident, spotting the ladder in the most strategic spot for rescue, ventilation operations and emergency egresses,” Purtill said in introducing Logan and her family.
“In the chaos of an emergency, the engineer is the calm professional making quick decisions to get the right equipment in the right place, ensuring effective firefighting and rescue operations.”
Logan’s husband Patrick pinned her new rank badge.
Next, Purtill and the board acknowledged Miller.
“Becoming a lieutenant in the fire service reflects dedication, skill and leadership. It signifies a shift from individual tasks to supervising a team, ensuring their safety and guiding them through the challenges of the profession. The lieutenant position requires decisiveness, accountability and the ability to lead by example, both at the scene and within the firehouse,” Purtill said of Miller.
“Joe has consistently shown the qualities of a leader. Dedication to training, strong work ethic, commitment to teamwork, ability to make decisions under pressure, compassion, ability to handle difficult situations, ability to think quickly, solve problems and a general, genuine commitment to safety and the well-being of fellow firefighters in the community.”
Pinning the rank badge on Miller was his wife, Megan, and children Reagan, Marshall and Molly.
Purtill and the board then acknowledged Panzica for promotion.
“Tom has consistently demonstrated leadership and commitment throughout his career as a firefighter and lieutenant. Tom’s individual dedication to serving the community and protecting the members has been unwavering. His spirit, pursuit of excellence, and ability to inspire others is evident. Tom has participated in almost everything that goes on around here in the last couple years,” Purtill said.
Panzica’s badge was pinned by his daughter Kylie. His son, Sam Willis, offered a personal Conferment afterwards.
“I want to thank Chief Purtill and the Fire District for this opportunity for the promotion. I want to congratulate Engineer Logan and Lieutenant Miller. They’re going to do great things,” Panzica said.
“Most of all, I want to thank my family for putting up with me during the past year with my studying and everything. And of course, I want to thank everybody here that came out, especially the Firefighters.”
Purtill closed the ceremony, saying, “Congratulations to our three newly promoted Firefighters. It’s just a step in the process. We’re getting bigger, faster and more calls every day. So, take every day as an opportunity to learn.”
For more information, visit www.OrlandFire.org.
Click this link to view a video of the ceremony or use the widget below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooCuvtHUM20
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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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