JERSEY CITY - The Jersey City Fire Department's first Hispanic deputy chief and first female battalion chief were among 30 people to rise in the ranks Thursday.

A standing room only promotion ceremony was held at City Hall on Thursday afternoon where the men and women took their oaths and assumed new positions in the department.

Joseph Menendez becomes the city's first Hispanic deputy chief, while Constance Zappella is now the first woman in the department's history to become a battalion chief. She was among the first two female firefighters in the city's history when she joined in 2002.

Zappella, 38, said she's working on having the most successful career with the department. Asked what her message to young Jersey City girls with dreams of becoming a firefighter, Zappella said she would tell them to "become one of us."

"I'm very feminine, I'm obviously female, but don't even think about that," she said after the ceremony. "Go in, if you really want this job and you really want to make a difference in your city, go in with a positive attitude. Forget, put it on the shelf that you're a female and become one of us."

Menendez, Richard Casella, and Michael Monaghan were all sworn in as deputy chiefs. Loren Hart, Shawn O'Connor, John Bowen, Jose Colon, John Arvanitis, Joseph Altomonte, and Zappella were sworn in as battalion chiefs.

Captains sworn in were James Van Winkle, Keith Raymond, Patrick Nestor, Justin Savino, Roberto Robalino, George Conroy, Dwayne Taylor, Joseph Dagato, Craig Wallace, Anthony Gonzalez, Bela Vaszlavik, Carmine Rizzi, Michael Ruggieri, William Gebhard, Daniel Mitchell, Ronald Tredo, Bertrand Moore, Justin Fahey, Matthew Rodriguez, and Harry Kawoczka.

Zampella sued the city in federal court in 2014 over allegations of gender bias within the fire department. She settled the suit for $50,000 this year.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.