Stuart Rosenberg, president of the Bridgeport Board of Fire Commissioners, right, swears in, from left, deputy chiefs Bruce Porzelt and Robert Petrucelli Capt. Ed McCann Wednesday at the commissioners meeting at Bridgeport Fire Headquarters. (Autumn Driscoll/Staff photographer)

3 Bridgeport firefighters promoted

By Aaron Leo
Staff writer Updated: 01/22/2009 12:53:07 AM EST

3 Bridgeport firefighters promoted - Topix

BRIDGEPORT -- In the early 1990s, provisional Deputy Fire Chief Anthony Petrucelli ran the Fire Department's administrative side with ledgers and paper checks.

He retired in 1993, but now his son, Robert Petrucelli, has succeeded him to run a more modern department, complete with up-to-date computers.

The younger Petrucelli and Bruce Porzelt were promoted to deputy chief, and Edward McCann was promoted to captain, in a ceremony Wednesday before the Board of Fire Commissioners, at Fire Department Headquarters. The three have 85 years of experience among them.

"I would like to extend our congratulations and say this is long overdue," said board President Stuart Rosenberg, before he administered the oath to the three.

"That's a very pleasant duty to have," he added afterward.

The men's families filled a meeting room in Fire Headquarters on Congress Street during the quick ceremony.

Petrucelli, a 32-year veteran, is the board's clerk and has served in the administrative role for several years in provisional status.

The new chiefs had to pass a daylong written and oral test last September to earn their ranks, and were the only two eligible to take it, Petrucelli added. Before that, the last test was held in March 1990.

"I feel somewhat relieved. It's finally being made permanent. It's been a long time coming," Petrucelli said. "I studied for a year."

The reading material including several textbooks and the union contract.

"There was a pretty a intense oral portion," the deputy chief said.

Porzelt was a battalion, or assistant, chief for the last 12 years of his 32-year career, and now will be in charge of operations.

"Anything to do with fire or the action, I'm there," he said.

But now part of his job will be behind a desk.

"A part of me was sad because I liked being a battalion chief but it's time to move on. I look forward to my new position," he said.