New Firefighters Sworn In at Town Hall

Three new were sworn in Friday at and were asked to meet the challenges of a new era in public safety.

“We need to change our name,” assistant Chief Gary Allyn said. “We’re no longer only the fire service. When you have a problem and dial 911, whatever it is, they will come.”

Kyle Chapin, Russell Duffy and James Phillips received their badges in a ceremony before family, friends, firefighters and town officials. Each made the cut from a pool of more than 300 applicants through a mix of experience, skills and aptitudes, Allyn said.

“The name fire service, we’ve gotten past that now. We are an all-hazards emergency response organization,” Allyn said.

Phillips, 28, and Chapin, 25, were members of the Willimantic Fire Department and also served as EMTs.

Phillips is also a paramedic, an EPA technician, and is proficient in self-contained breathing devices. He was assigned to Station 2 on Brace Road.

Chapin has an associate degree in fire protection and safety technology from Springfield Technical College. He is also a hazardous materials technician and a licensed heavy vehicle driver. He was assigned to Station 4 on Albany Avenue.

Duffy, 26, a former Cheshire resident, was working for the state of Florida as a crash rescue firefighter. He is also a hazardous materials technician, an EMT and a fire inspector. He was assigned to Station 2.

The new firefighters, who will be on probation for one year, started work June 13 after two weeks under Capt. Richard Winn, head of training.

Town manager Ron Van Winkle, battalion Chief Matt Stuart and West Hartford Firefighters president Louis Glanz also were at the swearing-in.

“I'm happy to say only [Phillips] was born in 1983, the year I started this job. That’s tough,” Glanz said. “When I started, I realized within weeks I had hit the lottery. I’m doing what I like to do, being a firefighter, and I drive a firetruck, every little boy’s dream. This is the best job you will ever have.”

Allyn said the new firefighters meet a commitment to keep the department versatile.

“We weren’t just looking for firefighters. We were looking for people who could be leaders tomorrow,” Allyn said. “We have business owners, we have educators, we have engineers. We’ve got a lot of folks here who have a second life on the outside and they’re able to bring that education and experiences to help all of us – not only in the fire department to give us great synergy but also for the community.”