City swears in fire chief

By Abbe Smith, Special to the News
07/18/2008

WEST HAVEN - Family, friends and local dignitaries gathered for a ceremony Monday to officially swear in James P. O'Brien as chief of the West Haven Fire Department.

O'Brien, who has been acting chief since his appointment last December, pledged to protect his department's firefighters from harm and to protect life and property for the city's residents. He was sworn in by Center District Fire Commission Chairman Bruce E. Sweeney at the ceremony at the department's headquarters at 366 Elm St.

After being sworn in, his wife, Kathy, pinned her husband's new badge onto his jacket and the audience of about 100 residents and firefighters erupted into applause.

O'Brien, who also serves as chairman of the City Council, said he was "truly honored" to accept the position and talked about the brotherhood of being a firefighter.

"We, the first responders, are the first line of defense and we accept that responsibility," he said.

Sweeney praised O'Brien for a job well done so far and called him a "quick learner."

"I expect he will be chief for a long, long time," he said.

After more than a year of transitions in leadership following the retirement of longtime Fire Chief William S. "Wiggy" Johnson Jr. in spring 2007, O'Brien has pledged to provide stability for the city's largest fire department.

His contract, signed May 31 but released to city officials and the public only recently, requires O'Brien to serve for five years with an option to renew the contract for five more years. There's even a provision that states if O'Brien resigns before the end of the five-year contract, his chief's salary may not be used in calculating his pension.

City Councilwoman Nancy R. Rossi, D-7, praised the contract before Monday night's ceremony, calling it "fair."

"I think it shows a level of commitment on both the commissioners and the fire chief," she said.

She noted one provision that concerned her - a clause added at the end of the contract that states if the city consolidates its three fire districts, O'Brien's new contract must be "equal or greater" to his current contract.

The contract also formalizes the $95,000 annual salary O'Brien has been earning as acting chief, and gives him incremental raises through the five-year agreement. In the fifth year, he will be earning about $106,900.

Other City Council members on hand for the ceremony praised their colleague in his new role. Councilman Edward M. O'Brien, D-at large, called him a "hands-on" leader and Councilwoman Tracy A. Morrissey, D-8, said he would be a great asset to the community.

Police Chief Ronald M. Quagliani said he looks forward to partnering with O'Brien in the future.

Also sworn in at the ceremony were Russell La Riviere, who was promoted to lieutenant from inspector, and Dennis Flynn, who was promoted to inspector from firefighter. Deputy Chief Scott Schwartz also was recognized during the ceremony for his work and for completing a deputy fire marshal course.