Groton City Council Names Tischer As New Fire Captain

Tischer will directly supervise four firefighters and serve as incident commander during emergencies in the absence of the chief and deputy fire chief.

By GLADYS ALCEDO
Day Staff Writer, Groton
Published on 1/4/2005

Groton–– The City Council unanimously agreed Monday to promote a longtime city firefighter to captain, and Mayor Dennis L. Popp welcomed him with glowing remarks.

William J. Tischer of Quaker Hill will fill the post vacated by Captain David A. Branche, who retired Jan. 1. Branche, a 36-year veteran, announced his retirement several weeks after he reported to work under the influence of alcohol, sources said.

Tischer, who has been on the force since 1985, was the next senior firefighter in line for the promotion and was recommended for the job by Popp and Fire Chief Nicholas A. DeLia.

“Captain Tischer,” Popp said as he called the firefighter to the podium to be sworn in. “I like that. It sounds good. Glad to have you,” Popp said to Tischer.

Tischer will directly supervise four firefighters and serve as incident commander during emergencies in the absence of the chief and deputy fire chief. He previously worked as a dispatcher for the New London Fire Department for 2 1/2 years and in his father's meat business, A. Tischer Co.

DeLia, who has known Tischer since their high school days at St. Bernard in Montville, said Tischer possesses an excellent blend of knowledge and expertise. He has tapped Tischer to be the mentor of the city's newest firefighter, Kevin L. Price, who was hired Monday.

Price, 28, of Mystic, will start as firefighter/emergency medical technician on Jan. 10. In the past year he worked as a firefighter at Pfizer, Inc. and has served as a volunteer with the Mystic Fire District since he was 16. He fills a vacancy created last May when Marie E. Waters, the city's first paid female firefighter, left the force after having a child.

DeLia said the city has one other vacancy to fill in the 17-member department.

In other business Monday, the council authorized the $277,980 purchase of equipment upgrades for the water treatment process and the hiring of Avallone, DiBella and Associates for $100,000 to serve as the city's lobbyists on state legislation dealing with utility issues.