| Featured in Region Groton City Fire Captain Will Retire By GLADYS ALCEDO Groton–– A city fire captain will retire after 36 years on the force several weeks after being removed from duty because he reported to work under the influence of alcohol, sources said. David A. Branche told the city he intends to resign, effective Jan. 1. When contacted Friday, Branche said he had made no announcements and declined further comment. He was eligible to retire before he was removed from duty last month. Groton City Fire Chief Nicholas A. DeLia and city Mayor Dennis L. Popp have declined to discuss the Nov. 23 incident involving Branche, saying it was a personnel matter. DeLia would only say that the public's safety was not compromised at any point during the incident. He referred all questions to Popp. Fire captains on the city force directly supervise firefighters and serve as incident commanders during emergencies in the absence of the chief and deputy fire chief. Popp said he appreciated Branche's service to the city over the past 36 years. “He's done some great things ... (for the fire department and city),” Popp said. “I wish him well in his retirement.” According to sources familiar with the situation who requested anonymity, Branche's behavior while on duty the night of Nov. 23 caused a supervisor to suspect he had alcohol in his system. The supervisor called for a private company to conduct a Breathalyzer test on Branche. About two hours later, after receiving the results of the test, Branche was relieved from duty and taken home, the sources said. It was unclear if he was suspended or placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the fire department's administration. Shortly after the incident, DeLia said Branche wasn't disciplined and that the incident was under investigation. Sources said Branche's retirement would render the investigation unnecessary. g.alcedo@theday.com © The Day Publishing Co., 2004 |