| 10/08/2005 | | Clinton fire chief steps down after 3 years at post | | Stan Fisher , Register Correspondent |
CLINTON — Fire Chief Scott Andrews, saying the physical and emotional demands of the job have left him exhausted, has resigned after nearly three years as leader of the town’s volunteer fire department. Elected chief in February 2003, Andrews’ dedication has won him the respect of his fellow firefighters and the esteem of town officials.
But he says he has been worn down by the ever-growing demands of the chief’s job, including homeland security preparation, and the emotional burden of the loss of an unusual number of firefighters in the past two years.
The department had an especially difficult time coping with Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Miller’s six-month struggle with cancer and his death in April at age 39, and the death of Firefighter Joseph Battista, 23, in a Florida boating accident in May.
As chief and as a fellow firefighter, Andrews was a constant source of consolation and support for family members and firefighters in coping with the deaths, town officials say.
"I’m just burned out by everything we went through," Andrews said. "I just decided it was time to take a break."
A member of the department since 1987, Andrews has held every line officer’s position, but describes the chief’s job as the most difficult.
"The time involved, the fiscal responsibilities, the paperwork and the post-9/11 mandates — it’s become a second job, and it’s tough with the time restraints," he said.
Andrews will continue to serve as a firefighter, and said the department has a strong administration in place. "I wouldn’t have felt comfortable in leaving (the chief’s job) otherwise," he said.
Assistant Fire Chief Frank Schrempp, a former chief, will serve as acting chief until the department elects new officers Nov. 7. Schrempp said Andrews "has done a great job, and everyone likes him as a person. The department has very high regard for Scott."
First Selectman James McCusker Jr., who has known Andrews since he was young, said of him, "He is a credit to his community and to his fire department, but he has gone through a very difficult time.
"There have been just heart-wrenching situations that a person in his capacity has had to deal with, and he has handled everything, including adversity, as a professional," McCusker said. "He is bright, articulate and a very impressive young man. It’s been a pleasure for me to serve with him over the years."
Police Chief Joseph Faughnan, who worked closely with Andrews, said his resignation "is a tremendous loss to the fire service, and I’ve lost a great colleague in public safety. He is a gifted leader, with no ego, no attitude and a wonderful way of dealing with people. Just a great guy." |
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