The Harp administration reacted to concerns over decisions made at the scene of the Delaney’s fire by naming a new assistant chief in charge of oeprations.
Mayor Toni Harp named Battalion Chief Thomas Neville to the post Friday. The post had been vacant since June 30.
Harp acted a day after the Independent reported that Neville and other battalion chiefs had made an unusual public stand against decisions by fire brass at the scene of the Aug. 25 blaze that destroyed Delaney’s Restaurant and Tap Room at the corner of Whalley and Central avenues. They argued that firefighters’ lives were improperly put at risk. (Click here to read about that controversy.)
Neville will hold the job provisionally for up to 90 days pending his successful completion of a civil service exam.
“Neville has more than 20 years’ experience with the department, rising through the ranks while serving with Engine 6, Engine 4, and at Fire Headquarters. Acting Assistant Chief Neville was also an adjunct instructor at the New Haven Fire Academy for two years,” a mayoral press release stated. The release quoted Harp as saying: “I’m pleased we now have this experienced veteran of our department in this important command position.”
Contributed Photos
Meanwhile, Anna Liffey’s downtown held a fundraiser Saturday night for tenants displaced by the Delaney’s fire and employees who lost their jobs. Pictured at the event: Delaney’s General Manager Sarah Donroe, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, state Rep. Pat Dillon. More photos from the event:
David Sepulveda Photos
This is a good start, however, there are open positions for 4 deputy chiefs, 25 captains etc. When a test is finally put together, advertised and actually given the department will then need approximately 45 lieutenants. There will have to be at least two or three academy graduating classes to replace the existing privates who would take the lieutenants test and be promoted. This once proud department has been allowed to be decimated by politics and lawsuits. The lawsuits were sparked by political efforts to manipulate previous tests so the correct demographic results were obtained. The Supreme Court had to intervene to promote the New Haven 20, because the city broke the law. The city had to be forced to promote the most qualified, not the most politically connected. There currently is a critical shortage of first and second line supervisors in the fire department. Folks are working outrageous hours, and in some cases have to be ordered work overtime so the fire stations are properly staffed. There needs to be a test given for deputy chief, captain and lieutenant as quickly as possible. The folks that pass the test need to be promoted, and the department staffing needs to be replenished with classes graduating from the fire academy. This needs to be pursued by the press and kept in the public eye by frequent articles on the progress or lack thereof in staffing the fire department. The safety of the public and of the firefighters is at stake.