Joseph Vargo sworn in as new Elyria Fire Chief (VIDEO)

ELYRIA — The Elyria Fire Department entered a new era on Monday, as Joseph Vargo III was sworn in as the new Elyria fire chief. Vargo is a 20-year veteran of Elyria fire who had served as a captain prior to his promotion following the retirement of Chief Joe Pronesti last week. Like Pronesti, Vargo has deep roots in the department, but he said Monday that his tenure would focus on the future and on developing the careers of the firefighters who would follow him. "It is not what I want to change, it is about you, the youngest members coming into the department," Vargo said, addressing the firefighters gathered in City Council chambers on Monday. "How can I help you mold your career, what can I give you to be successful, how can I help you achieve your goals, because my time is really done here. I do have some time (left) but now, it is for you. It is not about what I want, and what I want to change. It is about what you want and how we can grow, develop and be better as a department." After joining the department in September 2005, Vargo was promoted to lieutenant in 2017 and captain in 2021. After he was sworn in by Mayor Kevin Brubaker, Vargo's badge was pinned to his chest by his father, Joseph Vargo Jr. It was a full circle moment for the pair, as Vargo had followed in his father's footsteps when he joined Elyria fire in 2005 and they had served together before the elder Vargo retired as a captain. "I cannot be more proud of this guy, the hard work and dedication," Vargo Jr. said. "And he did it on his own. I had a chance to work with him for maybe four years, but he enjoyed the work and so he took it on himself to learn and advance. He has got a good head on his shoulders, he is a great guy and I can't say anything other than I wish him the best of luck in making his mark on the department… This is the pinnacle of my life." Vargo Jr. recounted one story where he had made first entry into a home on fire, putting water on the blaze until he had to retreat to the yard to catch his breath. "I'm there on the grass, mask off, and I feel this hand on my shoulder," Vargo Jr. said. "I hear 'you okay pops?' which was normal because I was an old guy on the force, they all called me pops. So I start 'Yeah I'm ok-' and I look up and it is him." Unbeknownst to Vargo Jr., his son had made second entry at the fire after arriving from another station and had been the first to check on him. "Most guys don't get to experience something like that," he said. Vargo said he felt lucky that he had been able to serve alongside his dad, and that following in his father's footsteps had led him to an incredible life. Vargo said he was thankful to the city of Elyria on both counts. "Elyria has given me a wonderful life and a beautiful career," Vargo said. "I am grateful for every day that I get to be there, that is no joke, I believe it with all my heart. I want to give back to the community I have served, and the community that has served me, it goes both ways. If there is anything that I can do for the community, the citizens, that I can do to better meet their needs… that is what is important to me." Brubaker said that he felt Vargo was taking over the department at the perfect time to capitalize on improvements made under Pronesti, who was appointed in 2021. "I don't know that the department has even been in such a good position that it currently is in, so (Vargo) is taking over the best department in the state of Ohio, at least in my opinion," Brubaker said. "I might be a little biased. "I look forward to working with him and the fire department as we move forward." Brubaker and Elyria Safety Service Director Chris Pyanowski said they were looking forward to working with Vargo to further modernize the department. "I am very excited to have Chief Vargo coming on board and being sworn in today," Pyanowski said. "He has served the department well, and we have discussed a number of different ways that we might approach things, some changes we might make to the department to update it (and) bring it in line with some new practices. He has a lot of good ideas, which I look forward to exploring with him." Vargo said that he hoped to improve the experience and push forward the careers of young firefighters through expanding training in new areas and offering as many opportunities for advancement as possible. "For me the biggest thing is I want to create an organization or a culture that gives back to these young men that come in," Vargo said. "... I am going to show you the way and give you the path, and if you want to follow it, you will be successful. It is something I really am passionate about, making sure these young people, young men and women too, are coming in and we are providing for them." Elyria selects its police and fire chiefs through civil service exams, and Vargo scored the highest of those who applied. None of the city's four assistant chiefs applied for the position, so the test was opened to captains. Prior to his time with Elyria fire, Vargo was a member of the U.S. Air Force from 1995 to 1999, deploying to the Middle East as a law enforcement soldier and dispatcher. He graduated from Tiffin University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He is married to Holly Vargo and the two have a dog, a Saint Berdoodle named Pierogi. Next week, Elyria will make a number of promotions to both fill in for the now vacant captain position and to promote four firefighters to lieutenant to provide leaders for the department's recently revived fourth engine company. Pyanowski said no new hires would be needed to backfill for Vargo's promotion. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.