PERTH AMBOY – With family, friends, fellow firefighters, representatives from the Police Department and City Officials, Mayor Diaz swore in Abraham Pitre as the first Hispanic Fire Chief in the City.

Battalion Chief Adm. Off. Ed Mullen told those in attendance how much he respected and looked up to Abraham Pitre.

When the Mayor was introduced by Mullen, she gave the reasons why Pitre was chosen for the position. She said, “I have full confidence in you and I am proud of all of our firefighters. You are the first Latino career Fire Chief in New Jersey, and you’ll make a difference in the lives of many people.”

The Mayor noted that Pitre’s parents traveled from Puerto Rico to be here. She thanked Pitre’s wife and children.

Pitre was sworn in with his immediate family by his side with his parents holding the bible.

When Chief Pitre spoke after being sworn in, he became very emotional. He said, “I’d like to thank God. I am truly humbled by this honor and your presence here. I want to thank all the officials who came here and all the members of the Fire Department (paid and volunteer). The firefighters from the surrounding towns always responded when needed. A special thanks to my parents who came here to make this occasion more memorable.”

He called out to his wife, Krystyna and children: Philip, Kaleb and Juliet and told them how much their support meant to him.

“There are those who came before me, and I want to thank them. I will work with integrity and always respect others. I have been a first in many respects as a member of the EMT’s and Fire Department. I am just proud to be a firefighter in the City of Perth Amboy.”

He said, “I know first hand what it’s like to lose everything in a fire. Please keep in prayer the family of former Perth Amboy Firefighter Thomas Gawlick who recently passed away as well as the families of the two Boston firefighters who died recently in a fire.”

The proud members of the fire department pose with their new Fire Chief Abraham Pitre

* Photos by Joe Bayona