http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=1728847&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=7573&rfi=8

Fire department installs chaplains after long gap
Michael Gannon, Register StaffApril 26, 2001
STRATFORD — Bagpipes and a full color guard marked the occasion Wednesday as the Fire Department installed its first chaplains in about two decades.
Monsignor William Schultz, pastor of Our Lady of Grace parish, and the Rev. Thomas Lynch, pastor of St. James Church, were sworn in at a ceremony in the Council Chambers in Town Hall, before friends, parishioners and town officials.

The men wore white department dress hats, along with the black clothing and collars of priests.

Deputy Fire Chief John Cybart presented both with gold shields emblazoned with a small red cross in a gold circle, within a red field.

Lynch, 58, a native of Stratford, has been a priest for 30 years. He served mostly in Connecticut, but spent nearly seven years on the staff of the American Bishops’ Conference in Washington, D.C.

Schultz, 62, is a native of New Jersey who was ordained 37 years ago. He formerly served as chaplain for the Bridgeport Police Department.

"For those of you in my parish, I’ll be brief," Schultz joked. "I’m doing this because I believe that if we are all part of a community, and we do our best to participate and serve the community the best that we can, then we will have a better community."

Lynch said the everyday stresses of a firefighter’s job sometimes require more support than colleagues can provide.

"They are not dealing with troubles every day, but sometimes they must deal with tragedy, even death," Lynch said. "It can help to have another shoulder to lean on."

Schultz said that in his experience it has never been a problem for members of different faiths to turn to a chaplain in a time of need.

Lynch said he and Schultz would be available at fire and accident scenes, or to help victims with sudden loss.

Chief Ronald Nattrass said the chaplain positions went unfilled after the last chaplains moved on, though no one is quite sure just when that occurred. He said the chaplains’ assistance for department members’ spiritual needs are as important as any piece of protective equipment or safety regulation.

"Recently we had two incidents," Nattrass said: "One where two firefighters were hit by a car…and we at first thought were seriously injured; the other was the untimely death of an off-duty firefighter."

He said Cybart came forward with a proposal to reinstate the chaplain position.

Given other workloads, the new chaplains will tentatively split the town geographically, with Schultz taking calls in the south and Lynch covering the north end.

Nattrass said the chaplains would not have lights in their cars, but that beepers and regulation turnout gear will follow the new badges.

"We want everyone to know who they are," he said.
İNew Haven Register 2001