In what can only be recognized as a perfect presentation for Women’s History Month, a Trenton Fire Department promotional ceremony recognized Marissa Bergen as the first female to hold the rank of captain. Captain Bergen, a former TEMS employee, highlighted a banner event as a ceremony inside the Trenton War Memorial acknowledged 29 promotions as appointments of two deputy fire chiefs, seven battalion chiefs, and 20 fire captains comprised the largest promotional ceremony for the Trenton Fire Department. Bergen shared the stage with James Scott who became the second African American battalion chief in city history. “I worked for TEMS for about ten years ago, and some of the guys on the job suggested I take the test and come work for the Trenton Fire Department, that’s pretty much how I got here. I was part of the only class of 2017 and have been here ever since,” Bergen recalled. Trenton Fire Department Captain Marissa Bergen with Fire Director Kenneth M. Douglas. Bergen became the city’s first female fire captain during a ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial. Mayor Reed Gusciora marked the historical moment by declaring Friday, March 14, “Marissa Bergen Day.” (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Deputy Chief John Martucci with wife, Felicia. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) James Scott became second African American deputy chief for Trenton Fire Department. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Former Trenton Fire Director Qareeb Bashir. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Capt. Marissa Bergen with entourage. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) From left: Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, former Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, City Council President Yazminelly Gonzalez, and City Council Vice-President Jasi Edwards. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Retired Trenton Deputy Chief Lenny Carmichael gave closing remarks. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Capt. Marissa Bergen became first female captain of Trenton Fire Department. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, at the podium, and City Council members proclaim March 14, 2025 Marissa Bergen Day. Left to right: Fire Director Kenneth Douglas, At-large Councilwoman and Vice-President Jasi Edwards, At-large Councilwoman and President Yazminelly Gonzalez, Mayor Reed Gusciora, Capt. Marissa Bergen, At-large Councilwoman Crystal Feliciano, North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams, and West Ward Councilwoman Teska Frisby. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Marissa Bergen. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Akiyse Watkins. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Charles Boyer. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Miguel Acosta-Martinez. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Naseeb Washington. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Xavier Aldea. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Khalid Davis. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Scot Fanning. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Kenneth Ninaltowski. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Brendan Gurry. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Joseph Szabo. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Raul DelValle. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Jimmy Silva. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Emanuel Guerra. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Christopher Laird. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Michael Lettieri. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Reynel Rodriguez. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Captain Angel Castillo. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Battalion Chief Kevin Beyrouty. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Battalion Chief Anthony Ross. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Battalion Chief Charles Patterson. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Battalion Chief Jonathan Little-Mason (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Battalion Chief John Soganic. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Battalion Chief Kevin Rice. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) James Scott became the second African American deputy fire chief in the history of the Trenton Fire Department during a promotional ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial building. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Show Caption1 of 34Trenton Fire Department Captain Marissa Bergen with Fire Director Kenneth M. Douglas. Bergen became the city’s first female fire captain during a ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial. Mayor Reed Gusciora marked the historical moment by declaring Friday, March 14, “Marissa Bergen Day.” (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Expand “I love the job, there’s a lot of camaraderie with it. It’s a great career and I advise anyone with any interest in firefighting to check it out. It’s a great career and good way to give back to the community at the same time.” Trenton Fire Director Kenneth Douglas praised Bergen for her accomplishment. “Marissa becoming our first female captain is huge. Fire departments across the nation have low representation of women, let alone ranked firefighters. We have Bergen as our first captain and I’m proud of that,” Douglas said. The list of promoted firefighters included: Deputy Chiefs: John Martucci, James Scott; Battalion Chiefs: Kevin Rice, John Soganic, Jonathan Little-Mason, Charles Patterson, Anthony Ross, Brian Butler, Kevin Beyrouty; Captains: Brian Ruhl, Angel Castillo, Reynel Rodriguez, Michael Lettieri, Torrey Sykes, Christopher Laird, Emanuel Guerra, Raul DelValle, Jimmy Silva, Marissa Bergen, Joseph Szabo, Brendan Gurry, Kenneth Ninaltowski, Scot Fanning, Khalid Davis, Xavier Aldea, Naseeb Washington, Miguel Acosta-Martinez, Charles Boyer, Akiyse Watkins. ...read more read less