New Fire Marshal Targets Inspections, Reporting

For the first time in four years, New Haven has a fire marshal — who promised to bring his office ​“into the 21st century.”

Mayor Toni Harp swore in the new marshal, Bobby Doyle, at a City Hall ceremony Wednesday morning …

… following a one-minute special meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners approving the appointment.

Lori Doyle pinned the badge on her husband.

Because of controversies over testing, the permanent fire marshal’s position had been vacant since Joe Cappucci retired. It has been filled on an ​“acting” basis until Wednesday morning.

During that time, the department has come under fire for failing to meet national fire incident reporting requirements. Doyle said he plans to bring the department up to the standards.

He also plans, along with city Building Official Jim Turcio, to begin a stepped-up inspection program of all city commercial and residential buildings, starting in September. Meanwhile, he will be pressed into service day to day responding to emergencies like the reported imminent collapse Sunday night of an historic building at Orange and Chapel. As acting marshal, Doyle was on scene and helped make the call to condemn the building; he also accompanied Turcio to the first of a planned series of junkyard inspections.

“I will put my best food forward to move the office of the fire marshal into the 21st century,” Doyle declared to dozens of friends and firefighters gathered in the City Hall atrium for his swearing-in.

“I guarantee you each and every one of you will be able to sleep at night knowing the city is safe,” remarked Fire Chief Allyn Wright.

Doyle, who’s 42, comes from a long line of New Haven firefighters, beginning with his great-grandfather, Capt. John Hussie, through his father John ​“Sam” Doyle. Public service runs in the family: His brother John (at left in photo) is a state prosecutor, his brother Chris (at right), a Milford police sergeant. They were on hand for their brother’s ceremony.