Sandford Bids Farewell to the EHFD

By Michael Dibiaso
Published on 2/10/2005

East Haven has lost one of its most valuable resources in keeping its residents safe. Fire Chief Wayne Sandford left the East Haven Fire Department last week to take a job as the state's deputy commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. "It is bittersweet," said Sandford. I have been here for about 12 years and I feel like we have accomplished a lot in my time here. We have gotten a lot of great people together, like [Assistant Chief] Paul Cahill and [Deputy Fire Marshal] Anthony Moscato. "I am confident that the programs that we started here will continue," he continued. "I am not worried at all about the East Haven Fire Department." Sandford, 54, has been a member of the town's fire department since 1968 as a volunteer. He became a paid firefighter inn 1973. He left in 1982 to be the state's director of fire training before returning in 1992 as the chief. In his tenure as chief, Sandford has been responsible for over seeing the installation of the town's reverse 911 system, the start of paramedic service in town, implementation of a flood rating system that has saved tax payers thousands of insurance dollars and the improvement of safety measures for homes along the shoreline. He was recognized in September as the Northeast States Emergency Consortium's emergency manager of the year. Sandford described his new position as "a big step, personally." As deputy commissioner of the newly formed state agency, Sandford will likely oversee the operational side of keeping the state safe. He plans on being involved in training local fire, EMS, and police forces, overseeing the safety of critical infrastructures, and making sure that towns have updated plans to deal with disaster. "I think that the governor has done a great job of putting together a team that is going to work really well together," said Sandford of the new agency. This is not the first time that Sandford has worked with Governor M. Jodi Rell. From 1998 to 2000, Sandford and Rell worked together on the creation of a firefighters memorial on Bradley Field. Sandford stated that he enjoyed working with Rell. He applied for the job of commissioner in September and thought he had been passed over for the position before being officially offered the position of deputy commissioner on Wednesday. Friday was his last day with the East Haven Fire Department. "I am pleased for the chief," said Mayor Joseph Maturo. "It is a great opportunity. I am sure his family is proud of him. The state of Connecticut is very lucky to have him. "It is unfortunate to lose someone with the education and experience of Chief Sandford. He has done a yeoman's job in his time here. He has brought the town to the point where it is one of the most progressive in the state." According to Maturo, the process of replacing Sandford will begin immediately. He is opening up the application process within the department first in search of a qualified applicant. "I am really honored that the mayor has chosen to hire from within the department. I have worked hard on getting good people in the department and having them well educated. So I am glad that the next chief will come from within and hopefully a few chiefs to come," said Sandford. Maturo hopes to fill the vacated position as soon as possible. Until then Assistant Chief Paul Cahill will take control of the department.