Hopewell Township’s police and fire departments marked a series of promotions and new hires Wednesday night, including the police department’s first captain in two decades and the addition of four full-time firefighter/EMTs.
The Aug. 26 joint ceremony included the promotions of Louis “Gino” Vastola to police captain, Nicholas Sparaco to lieutenant and Paul Alvaro to sergeant. On the fire side, Damian Lyness was promoted to lieutenant, while Christopher Zwickel, Evan Gartner, Vincent Tuberion and John Taxiarchou were sworn in as full-time firefighter/EMTs.
Township officials framed the changes as part of the continuing growth of public safety operations in Hopewell Valley.
“This celebration not only honors these individuals who serve and protect our community with honor, but it also represents the Township Committee’s commitment to police, fire, and emergency services,” Committeewoman Courtney Peters-Manning said. “We are a growing community, and we understand that giving our first responders the tools they need to effectively do their job is critical.”
Police department fills captain position
Vastola’s promotion was particularly notable. Police Chief James Rosso said the department’s captain position had been unfilled for 20 years.
Vastola joined the Hopewell Township Police Department in 2002 and has served in patrol, traffic and the detective bureau, as well as in training and supervisory roles. He was promoted to sergeant in 2019 and lieutenant in 2022.
“I’ve worked with Gino for many years, and I’m privileged today to have him sworn as a captain, a position that’s been unfilled for the last 20 years,” Rosso said.
Sparaco, who has more than 13 years with the department, was promoted to lieutenant and will serve as operations commander. Rosso highlighted his work in officer training, recruiting and mentoring supervisors.
Alvaro, who joined the department in 2021, was promoted to sergeant. He has served as a field training officer and is a member of the department’s drone unit.
Rosso said promotions carry greater responsibility within the department.
“Promotions are significant milestones in a law enforcement career,” he said. “They represent hard work, dedication, experience, and a continued commitment to serving both the department and our community.”
Fire department expands staffing
Hopewell Township Fire District Chief Jonathan Moore said support from township officials and fire commissioners has allowed the department to increase staffing and expand operations.
“Their continued support and financial backing have allowed us to expand our operations and add the staffing we needed,” Moore said.
Lyness, a Hopewell Valley Central High School graduate who has been involved in local emergency services since 2002, was promoted to fire lieutenant. He will serve as an officer on one of the department’s platoons on Engine 50.
Zwickel, Gartner, Tuberion and Taxiarchou were sworn in as full-time firefighter/EMTs, bringing experience from other fire and EMS agencies, volunteer service and, in Taxiarchou’s case, the New Jersey Army National Guard.
Moore said the new firefighters completed an orientation and in-house academy covering fire operations, EMS, vehicle extrication, special operations and the history of emergency services in Hopewell Valley.
He also pointed to the combination of career and volunteer responders serving the area.
“Here in Hopewell Valley, a special group of career and volunteer members work hand in hand to provide the best emergency services we can for our community,” Moore said.
The promoted officers and new firefighters took their oaths with family members alongside them during the ceremony at the Hopewell Valley Performing Arts Center.
