Fire Chief Jack Ahern To Retire

Branford Fire Chief Jack Ahern, who began his career 35 years ago and rose through the ranks to become the head of the department, will retire at the end of the year. 

Ahern, 54, plans to take another job with a private communications company in a nearby town, he told the Eagle. He has served as fire chief for the past 12 years during which he and other top fire and town officials led the quest for a new fire headquarters. He views the opening of the new headquarters in 2012 as one of his major accomplishments.

But not the only one. ​“We have one of the best paramedic services in the state,” he said.

“I have had an amazing experience. The town of Branford has been just awesome to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better job. I never woke up not wanting to go to work,” he said in an interview. 

He said he submitted his retirement papers at Town Hall yesterday. The town’s employees’ retirement fund requires two months notice. He earns $103,000 annually.

His decision to retire, he said, is in large measure the result of his reaching his maximum pension, 35 years of service. ​“I started getting paid for my work when I was 20. I have been part of the fire department since I was 16,” he said. 

Once he retires, which is expected to be on December 26, he will begin to receive his pension, plus his new salary when he starts his new job.

Lucky for Branford, he is not quite departing. 

He said he asked First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove if he could stay on in a volunteer position assisting in emergency management in the event of storms or a major town crisis. He shares that position with Police Capt. Ray Dunbar. The first selectman said yes, he said.
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