Clinton Fire Chief Andrews Resigns

Fire Chief Andrews Resigns

By FAY ABRAHAMSSON
Published on 10/20/2005

Clinton - He may no longer be the chief, but he will still be a familiar face at the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD).

Fire Chief Scott Andrews, who held the chief's position since the summer of 2002, resigned from his position effective Oct. 3. He will remain a member of the fire department as a volunteer fire fighter.

“I have not resigned from the department, just from the chief's position,” said Andrews, who has been a member of the CVFD since 1987.

As chief of the 100-member-plus fire department, which also includes the ambulance and emergency medical services, Andrews is president of the organization. He is responsible for the budget, capital projects, and other administrative duties.

He oversees committees such as the membership and by-laws committees and is the department's representative to the Chief of Police Joseph Faughnan, First Selectman James McCusker, Jr., Selectmen's Office, Board of Finance, and other town agencies and departments. He also goes out on 911 calls.

“I am burned out and worn out,” said Andrews, 42, who holds a full-time position at Madison Oil Company.

First Selectman James McCusker, Jr., who has known Andrews “since he was a youngster,” said he will be missed.

“In his three years as chief, Scott has been a true professional in his duties,” noted McCusker. “He is bright and articulate.”

Andrews has undergone his share of tragedies, which have shaken his department.

“Since I have been in the chief's position, there have been seven deaths in our department,” said Andrews.

Two of the deaths, both occurring this year, hit Andrews pretty hard.

In April, his friend and Deputy Fire Marshal Jeffrey Miller died after fighting a six-month battle with kidney cancer. He was 39 years old.

One month later, firefighter Joseph Battista died in a boating accident while on vacation in Florida. He was just 23 years old.

“These are incredible losses for all of us--Jeff and Joe's families and friends, the community, and our department,” said Andrews. “It has taken an incredible toll on all of us.”

As the chief, Andrews was the front-line contact for the families and community in both tragedies. He was the first one contacted by the Florida police regarding Battista's death.

“Our hearts and souls go into this,” he said. “They [Miller and Battista] are so much a part of our family.”

Andrews was also instrumental in organizing the huge fundraising dinner for Jeff Miller and his family.

“Back when the department found out about Jeff's cancer, many of the officers came to me and said they wanted to do something to help him,” Andrews said.

Nearly 2,000 people were served dinner on Jan. 15 at The Morgan School cafeteria. The Fire Department had originally planned to hold the dinner in the firehouse or Town Hall, but as tickets kept selling and selling, they needed to move it to a larger venue.

Taking over the reins is Assistant Fire Chief Frank Schrempp, who will be acting chief until a special election is held Nov. 7.

“Our elections are in February, so Assistant Fire Chief Schrempp will finish my term out until February,” said Andrews.

According to Andrews, he has built a strong organization and administration, which made his decision to resign easier.

“Scott follows a long list of very devoted people in that position including Hugh Allen, who held the position for many years,” said McCusker.

Andrews took the position of chief in the summer of 2002 when then-chief Gary Skau, who was employed by R.R. Donnelly, was relocated by his company out of state.

Andrews, who, along with the other leaders of the department, as well as the volunteers, receives no pay or stipend for his work. As the chief, he did receive the use of a vehicle for meetings.

“It is a full-time job,” he said. “Losing some of my best friends has me drained.”