New fire chief starts work in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine's largest city is getting a new chief of a fire department that has 234 professional and civilian firefighters.

Jerome LaMoria will be sworn in Thursday as the 14th fire chief for the city of Portland. LaMoria was unanimously confirmed by the Portland City Council Dec. 17.

LaMoria's father, Norman LaMoria, will pin on the new chief's badge at the City Hall ceremony following his taking the oath of office. Norman LaMoria served Newfane, Vt., for 50 years as a firefighter and fire chief.

Prior to joining the Portland Fire Department, Jerome LaMoria was training and exercise coordinator for the Prince George's County Office of Homeland Security in Maryland.

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