Eleven West Hartford Firefighters Retire

A total of 11 veteran members of the West Hartford Fire Department, all with more than 20 years of service, retired on Nov. 30, 2012, leaving the department with a total of 16 vacancies.

Seven firefighters will be promoted in the next week to fill some of the newly-created vacancies, and Interim Fire Chief Gary Allyn said that the department will be working to fill the remainder in the next 90 days.

Allyn said that existing firefighters will be taking exams for captain, lieutenant, and apparatus operator positions.

"We will be hiring new recruits, but because of the training that will take us well into the 90-day period," Allyn said.

He said he quickly promoted a group of "young, energetic firefighters" who are ready to step up and take on new challenges.

Although the West Hartford Fire Department is now faced with 16 vacant positions, Allyn said public safety is not a concern. "We will have the minimum staff of 21 on duty at all times," he said.

Allyn said there will be some overtime necessary in the short-term, until positions can be filled.

"We will be where we need to be by mid-April," Allyn said.

West Hartford firefighters have been working without a contract since July 1, 2012. According to a story in the Hartford Courant, concern about health care benefits for retirees under a new contract was a factor in the retirement decisions.

Allyn said that formal contract negotiations will begin in the near future.

Allyn also said that the department is in the process of purchasing a new fire truck, and plans to add another piece of apparatus within the next two years.

The following West Hartford Fire Department employees retired on Nov. 30, 2012:

Lieutenant John Aniolowski – 27 years of service

Lieutenant Lawrence Chapman – 21 years of service

Apparatus Operator Wayne Dunham – 24 years of service

Apparatus Operator Patricia Forster – 24 years of service

Fire Fighter Robert Goodskey – 24 years of service

Apparatus Operator Louie Grinfeld – 20 years of service

Captain Gerald Leblanc – 24 years of service

Apparatus Operator Theodore Lingard – 24 years of service

Battalion Chief James Quish – 27 years of service

Captain Sean Shoemaker – 24 years of service

Battalion Chief Matthew Stuart – 27 years of service

The following promotions have been announced:

Lieutenant William Kall promoted to Battalion Chief Group 2 effective Dec. 4.

Captain John Sokolowski promoted to Battalion Chief Group 3 effective Dec. 8.

Lieutenant Keith Byrne promoted to Captain Quint 3 effective Dec. 5.

Lieutenant David McComb promoted to Captain Engine 5 effetive Dec. 7.

Lieutenant Carl Dojan appointed to Acting Captain Engine 1 effective Dec. 11.

Fire Fighter Jeffrey Dufresne promoted to Lieutenant Quint 4 effective Dec. 4.

Fire Fighter Joseph Robidoux promoted to Lieutenant Quint 4 effective Dec. 5.