GREENFIELD — The Public Safety Commission voted unanimously this week to approve the promotion of Fire Capt. Peter McIver to deputy chief, filling a role that has been vacant since the departure of Ed Jarvis more than five years ago.

The promotion was approved on Wednesday, along with promotions for the Police Department — Detective Brandon Lagoy to the role of sergeant and Sgt. Jay Butynski to the role of lieutenant.

Announcing McIver’s promotion, Fire Chief Robert Strahan praised the new deputy chief for his unwavering work ethic as well as his role leading operations at the School Street fire that injured two firefighters Sunday morning. Strahan made note of McIver’s role serving on the Planning Board as an indicator of his commitment to the city.

“He has embraced learning every aspect of his department, including budget operations, and he has taken every assignment that has been thrown his way with dignity, commitment to getting it done and unwavering support of the city,” Strahan said. “He is a member of community organizations like the Planning Board and does a lot for the community. Outside of work, he puts in a tremendous amount of time and a tremendous amount of hours, to the point where I remind him to get home.”

McIver was promoted to the rank of captain of logistics in 2022, roughly 15 years after he was first sworn in as a Greenfield firefighter in 2007. He served as a lieutenant from 2013 until 2022.

In an interview Friday, Strahan added that the deputy chief role was left vacant for years after Jarvis’ departure in order for the department to prioritize maintaining a full crew of firefighters, rather than administrative positions.

Before the commission voted to recommend McIver for the promotion, Jarvis, who now serves on the Public Safety Commission, mentioned that he has known McIver for the bulk of the new deputy chief’s life. Jarvis said he could envision McIver taking over as chief when Strahan retires.

“You’re a hardworking individual. We’re proud to have you. When I was a shift captain, I was proud to have you as a firefighter underneath me when I was in charge. The paper was never late when you [delivered the paper] on my street,” Jarvis said. “I’ve known you for a very long time, since you were little growing up, and it’s no surprise to me that you worked your way up through the ranks. You’re probably still not done, because someday the chief will retire, so then you can take over.”

After a unanimous vote to approve McIver’s promotion, Police Chief Todd Dodge appeared before the Public Safety Commission alongside Butynski and Lagoy, whose promotions came following Christopher Greene’s promotion to deputy chief last month.

The commission voted unanimously in favor of the two promotions after little discussion, before Butynski, remarking that it had only been a year since he was promoted to sergeant, voiced his gratitude for the new role.

“We just talked over a year ago. Some things have changed, some things haven’t,” Butynski said. “I’m excited for the opportunity — it’s going to be an adjustment getting away from police work and more toward the desk, but we’ll see how things go and I’m excited.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.