Write a commentThis week, IHeartOswego would like to introduce our readers to an unsung hero who has been the point person for the City of Oswego’s entire workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jon Chawgo is the Assistant Chief of the Oswego Fire Department. I should state at this point that at one time Jon worked under my charge when I was with the OFD, and I consider him a good friend.
Jon, could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m fifty-two years old. I’m married to my wife Therese, and we live in downtown Oswego. I’m a father, a stepfather, a step-grandpa and a dog owner too.
How long have you been in your current position?
I’ve been the Assistant Chief of the Fire Department for nine years. I have worked directly with both former Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie and current Chief Randy Griffin. Before that, I came up through the ranks and I am also a Critical Care EMT.
Would you describe what a typical work day is like?
During normal times, I would work with the Chief to update him on ongoing or upcoming projects, plan training programs, discuss equipment and personnel matters, etc. Employee health and safety was a primary focus of my job. However, that all changed about two years ago when Covid-19 came to the U.S. Since then, my focus has almost exclusively been handling all the issues the pandemic has raised, not just for the Fire Department but for all the City departments. I’ve worked with numerous county, state and federal agencies as well as Oswego Health, Upstate Hospital and SUNY-Oswego to arrange testing and vaccines, to procure protective equipment and dozens of other details we’ve never had to deal with prior to the pandemic.
What are some of the challenges you face?
Trying to keep the people who work for the City of Oswego and our residents safe and protected from Covid. As we all know, it has been a learning process as first the outbreak became an epidemic, then a global pandemic. Our city’s firefighters, police officers and public works personnel have been out in public every day, and keeping up with the federal and state guidelines and recommendations has been difficult at best. Our firefighters are all medically trained, and have been on the front lines here locally - treating suspected cases, administering testing and vaccinations, distributing personal protective equipment to residents and more in addition to their regular duties responding to emergencies and calls for help twenty-four hours a day.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing is that I get to do the job I have wanted to do for my entire life. My parents tried to get me interested in other careers, but I knew ever since I was a kid watching Emergency! on TV that I wanted to be a firefighter. I grew up in Palermo, and I joined the Palermo volunteer fire department at a young age, then joined the OFD. I can’t think of a higher calling.
Of course, the absolute best part of my job is being able to work with the entire Oswego Fire Department since I became the Assistant Chief. When you work on a regular shift, you’re with the same small group of people each time you’re on duty. In my position I get to see all four shifts once or twice each week. I get to know everyone personally, and it’s very rewarding to keep them safe and protected.
Anything else you would care to add, Jon?
I will be retiring from the fire department in March of this year after twenty-two years of service. It has been an honor to work here, and it’s been a very fulfilling career. I’m not sure what the future will bring, but I am looking forward to finding out.
IHeartOswego would like to thank Jon Chawgo for taking the time to talk to us. It would be difficult to find a more dedicated public servant, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
Thanks for reading, and check in again next week to spend another Five Minutes With A Hero.
