Six city firefighters were formally sworn in to their posts Friday, an event that had been delayed because of the pandemic. The six were sworn-in by the mayor in a ceremony at the Emergency Operations Center on Mile Lane. The late afternoon event included the fire company Honor Guard, in a procession that included bagpipe music. Deputy Fire Marshal Al Lespier, Battalion Chief Dave Albert, Lt. Dan Canevari and firefighters Mike Sheehan, John Kloc and Jeff Albert were promoted during the pandemic, but the celebration was delayed until it was more safe to have it, according to Middletown Fire Department Chief Robert Kronenberger, who called it a "very, very joyous event." The chief said he derives much pride from these firefighters. "I'd say they're going to do a fine job, but they've already started to do a fine job back a couple months ago," he said.