ROCHESTER — Two Rochester firefighters say they’re humbled by the fact that they will be assuming larger leadership roles with the department starting next week.

Come Feb. 1, Lt. Mike George and Firefighter Jarrod Wheeler will be promoted to captain and lieutenant, respectively. George, 42, has been a member of the Rochester Fire Department since 2002 and a lieutenant since 2014, while Wheeler, 29, is a Spaulding High School alumnus who has been with the department full-time since 2011.

For George, the promotion serves as the continuation of his family’s Lilac City legacy. His uncle, Paul, was a Spaulding hockey coach for 16 years, while his late grandfather, Bert, was a Rochester mayor, School Board member and Public Works director at various points in his life.

“My family has been part of the city a long time. To me, it’s almost even more impressive for me to continue that on,” said the Milton Mills native, downplaying the personal achievements and work ethic that led to his promotion to captain. “As a firefighter, I was so excited to be hired in Rochester because my grandfather was all about service to the city. He was probably more proud than I was to work in the city.”

Wheeler also said he takes pride in being able to serve prominently in his hometown. He lived in both New Durham and Rochester growing up and looks forward to the additional opportunities he’ll have to be more involved with the community now that he’s made lieutenant.

“I think it’s important for firefighters and the fire department in general to get out into the community and interact with children on the fire prevention side of things and provide the service we’re all here to do for the community as a whole,” said Wheeler, whose career in Rochester started with four years as a call firefighter from 2007 to 2011.

George will command B Shift starting Feb. 1. Wheeler will be assigned to D Shift and will work primarily out of the Gonic fire station, where he’s been stationed for the past six months to cover for a Rochester firefighter serving a military deployment.

The promotions follow the retirement of longtime Capt. Paul LaClair, who, like several other recent department retirees, asked that he not be featured as part of his own story. George and Wheeler both said it will be tough to fill the humble boots of LaClair, Missy Ayers and Bruce Snyder because they believe the three recent retirees are Rochester icons.

“Their experience can’t be replaced,” said Wheeler. “The rest of us have to step up and fill those roles. I think we’re ready.”