The cities of Auburn and Lewiston have recently promoted several firefighters, including firefighters Richard Dionne and John Gravel in Auburn, and Lt. Wallace Veilleux Jr. in Lewiston.

In Lewiston, Veilleux has been promoted to the rank of fire captain.

Veilleux has served the department since 1983 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1992. His new duties as captain will take effect April 7.

Veilleux holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Orono and an associate degree in fire science from Southern Maine Community College. He is also Firefighter I & II and Fire Instructor I Certified. He has attended the National Fire Academy for Initial Company Tactical Operations and the Massachusetts Fire Academy for Natural Gas Training. In addition, Veilleux has recently achieved hazardous materials technician certification.  

Other accomplishments include creating a fire department hydrant mapping system that provides a visual of hydrant locations throughout the city. Veilleux has also been recognized by the department for his work in establishing a Bates College-area fire department ammonia response plan.

His new duties as captain will include command of fire scenes and coordination of departmental supplies, gear and uniforms. 

Veilleux lives in Greene with his wife, Cindy; they have two grown children, Vanessa and Melissa.

In Auburn, Dionne, who has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, has been assigned to Engine 3 at Central Station. His previous assignment was the driver/operator of Engine 2.

Dionne joined the Auburn department in February 2000. He is a registered nurse, with a degree in nursing from Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing, and an EMT/paramedic. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force,  serving during Desert Storm. He graduated from Oak Hill High School.

He currently resides in Auburn and is married to Tracy, a registered nurse who is employed at CMMC. They have two children, Emma and Jack.

Auburn firefighter John Gravel has also been promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assigned to the Engine 2 substation in New Auburn.

His previous assignment was the driver of Tower 1. Gravel is an EMT-I and a fire instructor with expertise in rope rescue and hazardous materials operations.

Gravel joined the Auburn department in July 1995. He has an associate degree in electro-mechanics from Central Maine Community College.

Gravel is married to Rickie, an ultrasound specialist at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. Their son Josh is currently stationed at Fort Lee, Va., in advanced infantry training.