Among Stamford Public Safety Appointments, a Familiar Face as Fire Chief

Continuing with the flurry of activity out of new Stamford Mayor David Martin's Office came several new appointments Thursday to various public safety positions in the city. This included the naming of a familiar face to the position of Stamford Fire Department Chief, a position that had gone unfilled by a singularly-dedicated service member since the summer.

It was announced during a conference Thursday morning that retired Assistant Fire Chief Peter Brown would rejoin the force in the position of Fire Chief for the City of Stamford Fire Department, the newly consolidated organization combining both career and volunteer firefighters.

Brown, a 40-year veteran of the fire service—17 of those years as Assistant Chief—will replace Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare Thaddeus K. Jankowski, who had served as Interim Fire Chief in a dual capacity since August 2013 when Chief Antonio Conte stepped down from the position.

"Chief Brown is the ideal candidate to lead the Stamford Fire Department. He is a professional with more than three decades of experience and an impressive track record of performance," Martin said. "Peter understands the challenges confronting the department and has the ability to respectfully work with both volunteer and career firefighters. He has demonstrated a deep dedication to our city throughout his distinguished career and has earned the respect of the community."

Martin also announced during the conference that Jankowski would remain within the city government ranks and continue in his position and Public Safety, Health and Welfare Director. Martin said Jankowski, with more than 25 years of experience, has played a key role in making Stamford one of the safest cities in America, calling him "a loyal, proven, result-driven and service-oriented public safety, emergency response, emergency management and homeland security professional with more than twenty five years of experience."

"As the Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare, Jankowski, has provided strong leadership throughout his tenure and has helped lead Stamford through several major events and natural disasters," Martin said. "I look forward to working with Ted as we share the same commitment to public safety, health and welfare and the same vision for providing the highest quality of services."

Jankowski said he was excited to have the opportunity to continue serving Stamford in his position as Director.

"I am looking forward to working with Mayor Martin, the administration and the departments in the Office of Public Safety to provide the highest quality of services for the safety, health and welfare for the residents and visitors of the City of Stamford," he said. "The Office of Public Safety is committed to making Stamford a safe and healthy place to live and do business."

During Thursday's conference, Martin also assured Stamford residents that it's newest Police Chief, Jon Fontneau, would continue to serve under his contract with the city and gave high praises for his work with the department over the past 33 years in Stamford.

"Chief Fontneau has pursued a proactive and community-based approach to policing that has allowed the department to pinpoint issues before they become chronic crime problems," the mayor said. "I applaud him for his leadership of the Stamford Police Department."

Mayor Martin has also announced appointments to both the Police and Fire Commissions: To the Police Commission, Martin seeks to appoint Tim Abbazzia, Robert Figueroa—who noted during a discussion following the appointments Thursday that he believes he will be the first Latino commissioner appointed in Stamford's history, Cheryl Palmer, Ralph Serafino and Milton Thomas.

To the Fire Commission, Martin named Andrew Holmes, Greg Lodato, Dick Lyons, Frank Melzer and Rev. Robert Perry. Jankowski said Perry and Melzer had previously served as commissioners while the remaining three were new appointments.

The Board of Representatives will now receive Martin's recommendations and appointments for final approval.

The mayor had also previously announced the appointment of Katherine Emmett to Director of Legal Affairs, Michael Handler to Director of Administration and Michael Pollard to serve as Chief of Staff.