June 1, 2024 marked the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. The prime point of danger for Connecticut lies between August and October.
With the National Weather Service predicting an above-normal activity level for the Atlantic region this year, here are some tips to be prepared and stay safe.
We’d like to sincerely congratulate Firefighter Deerick Arzola-Torres of Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Class 73 who graduated after 15 and a half weeks of intensive training and will now join our ranks in the Center District. Welcome aboard Derek, we look forward to working with you!
We’d like to congratulate Deputy Chief of Administration William Johnson on completing his 39th year with our department.
Chief Johnson began his career with us on March 14, 1985, and has served in several roles over the years including Lieutenant of which he was promoted to on November 7, 2001, Day Captain on May 5, 2020, and his current rank of Deputy Chief on March 23, 2021.
Chief Johnson is one of 8 members to complete 35 years with our department and stands to soon surpass the amount of time his father, late Chief of Department William Johnson Sr. (shown in the second photograph and on the left in the first photograph), served in the Center District at 40 years and 7 months (July 1, 1966 through February 22, 2007)
Wednesday night marked the beginning of two firefighting careers in the Center District. First on the career side is Joseph Mauro, a coast guard veteran who graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy in December from Recruit Class 72 he joins us through the Hero 2 Hero program founded by Chris Shea, a Naval Special Operations veteran. On the Volunteer side is Olivia Caldarella, an intern at our department and senior at the University of New Haven, she was sworn in as a member of Hook & Ladder Co. 1 where she’ll begin what we hope and believe will be a long fruitful journey in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with Truck 26. Congratulations to both and welcome to the West Haven Fire Department.
We’d like to congratulate Deputy Chief of Administration William Johnson on completing his 39th year with our department.
Chief Johnson began his career with us on March 14, 1985, and has served in several roles over the years including Lieutenant of which he was promoted to on November 7, 2001, Day Captain on May 5, 2020, and his current rank of Deputy Chief on March 23, 2021.
Chief Johnson is one of 8 members to complete 35 years with our department and stands to soon surpass the amount of time his father, late Chief of Department William Johnson Sr. (shown in the second photograph and on the left in the first photograph), served in the Center District at 40 years and 7 months (July 1, 1966 through February 22, 2007)
The West Haven Fire Department would like to congratulate Captain James “Jim” McNulty on his retirement after 32 years of dedicated service to our great city. Captain McNulty was appointed to our department on July 22, 1991, and worked as a firefighter for 17 years before his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant on September 14, 2008.
After the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Captain McNulty was one of several members of the Center District to head down to the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, where he would assist in the rescue and recovery efforts, extending his service beyond just our city.
Promoted again this time to the rank of Captain on April 15, 2020, he has for the last three years led the department’s “A” shift, offering a respected veteran presence and helping train our newer members. We salute him for a truly outstanding career and exemplary record of service and wish him all the best in his retirement. Thank you and once more congratulations, Captain!
They’ve done it! Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Class 72 has pushed on through and with that, we at the West Haven Fire Department have gained 8 new members. Welcome additions to a rapidly expanding family!
REMINDER: If you or anyone you know has flags no longer fit for display, please bring them by our Flag Retirement Box posted outside our headquarters on 366 Elm Street. A ceremony to honorably retire these flags will be held on Saturday, December 9, at 10AM.
We now have a U.S Flag retirement box posted directly outside our Center District headquarters. All are welcome to bring flags no longer fit for display and place them into this box. A ceremony to honorably retire these flags will be held at our headquarters located on 366 Elm Street, Saturday, December 9, 10AM.
Huge congratulations are in order for our very own Brandon Giannelli who has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Originally a volunteer with West Haven Hook and Ladder Company 1, Brandon joined our department on July 22, 2015 and throughout his tenure has worked on our D and B shifts respectively.
We wish now Lieutenant Giannelli all the best in his exciting new career chapter as a fire officer!
