http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.chief5may12,0,7452872.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By Lisa Chamoff
Staff Writer
May 12, 2005
NORWALK -- Denis McCarthy has spent the last week-and-a-half getting used to his new home at the Charles A. Volk Central Fire Station.
Today at 8 a.m., McCarthy will be ceremoniously sworn in as the city's next fire chief after 27 years at the Westport fire department, which he led for more than two years. He was officially sworn in by Mayor Alex Knopp on May 2.
McCarthy, 49, said he has received a warm welcome from his new colleagues..
"I am very encouraged, and every member of this department seems anxious to move forward," McCarthy said. "All of senior staff is already doing a great job and really looking for ways to improve the Norwalk Fire Department."
As the new chief, McCarthy will help update facilities and equipment based on recommendations made to the city by a consultant earlier this year.
McCarthy said full implementation of the recommended changes is expected to take several years. The report calls for millions of dollars in improvements to the department's buildings and replacement of fire engines.
"We are not going to rush into any type of overhaul of any system or program just to prove we have accomplished something," McCarthy said. "Let's take a careful and really cautious look at the systems we have in place, and how we do business, and make changes carefully."
Knopp said McCarthy will be given a few months to settle into his position before a timetable for the changes is created.
"I've been very impressed with how Chief McCarthy has been in communication with all different representatives of the fire department sections, including the union, and feel that he's really getting off on the right foot by trying to learn as much as he can about the operation before reaching any conclusions," Knopp said.
While the Westport and Norwalk departments are structured similarly, McCarthy has bigger management issues to deal with, he said. The Norwalk Fire Department is more than twice as large as Westport's.
The larger size has its advantage, though. In Westport, the first engine to respond to a call would have two firefighters, while in Norwalk there are three firefighters and a fire officer.
McCarthy was chosen over about 70 other applicants to replace retired chief Sanford Anderson. McCarthy is no stranger to Norwalk, having led regional emergency response efforts, including hazardous material disaster exercises, and serving on the Norwalk Hospital Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council and Planning Team.
McCarthy's contract is expected to be signed during this morning's Fire Commission meeting. His salary has not been released.
As McCarthy is meeting his colleagues and learning the ropes of his new department, he seems to be open to others' opinions about how the department should run, Assistant Chief Laurence Reilly said.
"It is different, somewhat, from the past," Reilly said. "It's been a breath of fresh air having someone who seems to be interested in what we all think about what the department needs and how we should be operating."
McCarthy has joined the department during contentious contract negotiations between the firefighters' union and the city. Firefighters demonstrated in front of City Hall in March because they have been without a contract in three years.
Knopp said yesterday that he hoped the issue could be resolved as soon as possible.
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