May 4, 2018 2 min read

Washington has a new fire chief, after Mayor Scott Putnam swore in Gerry Coleman during Thursday’s council meeting.

“Gerry, welcome and congratulations,” Putnam said.

Coleman will replace former chief Linn Brookman, who retired last week after 38 years of service to the department. Coleman, who was one of three applicants from within the department, has been a Washington firefighter for 22 years and started his career in South Strabane Township’s fire department.

“I’ve got a lot of good guys under me, and we’ve been providing emergency services for Washington for a long time,” Coleman said after the meeting Thursday. “We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing for years.”

Coleman said one way he’d like to continue moving the fire department forward is by doing more fire-prevention activities in the community.

“We’d like to get out in the community more and work with business owners to do more informal inspections,” he said.

Coleman’s family attended the swearing-in ceremony, in which his wife, Regina, and daughter, Lexi Ferrari, participated. As Putnam wished Coleman a “prosperous time at the fire department,” council members Ken Westcott and Monda Williams also welcomed him.

“I’m looking forward to working with you,” Williams said.

In other action Thursday, Westcott reminded people of the city’s cleanup day, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Dumpsters will be available at the West End Playground on Baird Avenue, at St. Paul AME Church on Ridge Avenue, and at the Tylerdale fire station.

Westcott said supplies such as gloves, vests and trash bags are available for residents at City Hall, and must be picked up by the end of office hours Friday.