By EVE SULLIVAN
The (Stamford) Advocate
June 08, 2000

STAMFORD - Mayor Dannel Malloy named Assistant Fire Chief Robert McGrath yesterday as his choice for Stamford's new fire chief.

During a morning ceremony at the Stamford Government Center, Malloy said he has known the 30-year veteran of the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department all his life and deeply admires him.

"I'm very proud of you and very thankful that we have you in Stamford," Malloy said.

The 53-year-old Stamford native will take the position after Chief Anthony Milone, who announced his retirement in April, leaves next month.

"I would like to thank my wife who stood by me in thick and thin," McGrath said. He also thanked his children, saying his work pulled him away from the family for years.

"Every fireman's wife makes those sacrifices," said Pat McGrath, his wife of 28 years. "It's a family affair."

Malloy said his decision was supported by the Fire Commission and former Director of Public Safety John Byrne before he left his position last month.

According to the city Charter, the mayor appoints a fire chief for a five-year term. His selection must be approved by the Board of Representatives.

Dick Lyons, chairman of the Fire Commission, said Assistant Fire Chief Peter Brown was the only other person who applied for the job.

"It was a very difficult choice because both applicants had years of experience," Lyons said.

When Milone retired, Malloy announced that he would hire from within the department.

McGrath promised to continue Milone's traditions and to supply firefighters with the best possible equipment.

Before becoming a firefighter, McGrath served in the Navy, where he attended firefighting damage control school. He was involved daily with damage control and firefighting operations.

McGrath, whose father was a Stamford police officer, said he considered following in his footsteps.

"I thought about both jobs when I got out of the service," he said.

It was actually his father, McGrath said, who thought firefighting might be a better course for him.

"He said firefighting was rewarding, and he thought it was something I would like to do," McGrath said. "My father fought fires in the Army Air (Corps) in World War II."

McGrath became a lieutenant in 1981, a captain in 1988 and an assistant chief two years ago. He has attended several special courses at the National Fire Academy and Connecticut Fire Academy on subjects such as hazardous materials and high-rise firefighting.

Firefighters' duties have changed greatly since he started with the department, McGrath said. They are constantly responding to calls on Interstate 95, have to deal with more hazardous materials and must contend with problems in high-rise buildings, he said. Because of the added responsibilities, McGrath said he wants to make sure they have the best and safest equipment.

Under Milone, McGrath headed the fire department's operations. He has secured funding through grants and private donations for training and equipment.

McGrath said he wants to work with the volunteer departments to have more creative relationships.

Milone, 62, announced his retirement April 26 after 41 years of fighting fires in the city and plans to move to Arizona. He was appointed fire chief in March 1998.

Malloy praised Milone, also a Stamford native, for his work during his two years at the helm.

"You've exceeded all possible expectations that we had," the mayor said.