Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell told a crowded room at the Fire Headquarters last Friday afternoon that the man who was about to become Westport's next fire chief was "impetuous, tenacious, and dedicated," and had "a heart to beat all hearts."
"He would lay his life down for any one of you, especially anyone in the department. He well deserves to be a chief, but he is a firefighter's firefighter, first of all, and he will continue to lead and inspire," added Farrell.
Christopher Ackley, 49, swore to perform the job of fire chief to the best of his abilities and extended applause erupted from the approximately 100 people into the firehouse. Many off-duty firefighters were there as well as fire chiefs from Wilton, Greenwich, Fairfield, Stratford,and Weston, and Westport Police Chief Al Fiore. Community members included family, friends and members of the RTM and Board of Finance.
The new Fire Chief thanked his wife, Jill, his father and brother, both named Harry, his sister, Rosemary, his in-laws, and all the local politicians and dignitaries and said, "I'm impressed with the support that I have from all you people. I'm going to do my best to respect that trust."
Seeming to speak directly to the men who would serve under him, he pointed out that firefighting is "inherently dangerous. We cannot make the danger less certain ... Just as it is the duty of firefighters to protect the public, it is the duty of their leaders to make sure we've done all we can to protect them. Anything less and we're letting them down."
Then he thanked outgoing fire chief, Denis MacCarthy, who is leaving Westport to take the same job in Norwalk. "You leave us better prepared, said Ackley. "We wish you great success."
The outgoing fire chief pointed out to reporters that he and Ackley, as well as Police Chief Fiore, all started their careers in Westport on the same day, July 10, 1978. MacCarthy quipped, "It was a good day for Westport."
Ackley has been deputy chief, the number two position in the department, for the last year and a half. As such, he oversaw the restructuring of the department's Management Team and the hiring of three new firefighters.
In 1985, Ackley co-founded the Haz-Mat Team for the handling of hazardous materials. He has twice received the Dominic Zeoli Award for performing "an extraordinary rescue under extremely life-threatening conditions." He was one of five men who received the Captain Edmund T. Duffy Unit Citation for a unit that displayed "outstanding teamwork while working together under extreme conditions." He has also received the Chief Harold A. Shippey Award for the firefighter who has "unselfishly contributed to the improvement of the department."
Assistant Chief Eugene Maloney won one of the Dominic Zeoli awards with Ackley and said, "If I were going into a burning building, I'd want him with me," gesturing toward Ackley, who immediately replied, "I'd want him with me."
Maloney pointed out that when he joined the department 24 years ago, training wasn't as formalized as it is now. "Chris Ackley took me under his wing and taught me how to be a firefighter," he said. "I am proud to work for him and honored to be his friend."
Fairfield firefighter Brad Sherman came to see Ackley sworn in. The two grew up together. As kids, they both hung out at the firehouse in Southport, where Ackley's brother, Harry, who is 14 years older, worked as a Fairfield firefighter. He retired from that department recently as a captain. As soon as the younger Ackley and Sherman were old enough, they signed up for the same career - Sherman in Fairfield and Ackley in Westport.
Did Sherman ever suspect that his long-time friend would be chief someday? Yes, "because of his dedication and drive."
"The stuff he said at the podium about being safe - it's his creed," said Sherman. "He really believes it. He's serious about firefighter safety. The firefighters in Westport are as safe as they can be. It's been a good run and he deserves it."
Ackley's brother, Harry, was asked if he had ever thought his brother would be chief. "Yes," he replied quickly. Why? "Because he has the integrity to stand up for what he believes in, and the mark of a leader is to not back down under pressure. He won't back down."
Fire Inspector Nate Gibbons said that he had gotten much of his on-the-job-training from Ackley and that the new chief is a great teacher, although "He would never admit it."