Meet New Derby Fire Department Chief Michael Gloade

DERBY — New Derby Fire Department Chief Michael Gloade remembers watching the tragic events of Sept. 11 unfold in New York City almost 22 years ago, and was in awe of the firefighters running into the burning Twin Towers, without regard for their own safety.

The selflessness of those 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives that day inspired Gloade to become a volunteer firefighter.

​“Just after 9/11, I felt a need to give back,” Gloade said. ​“I saw the respect and the sacrifice and the unwavering need to do something right, and what these guys endured running into a building on fire regardless of their own personal safety. They just tried to do something right. The drive to do something right in life is few and far between. The fire department was looking for members and I volunteered.”

Gloade began his path to firefighting later in life, at age 32. Today, Gloade, 54, is glad he stuck around.

Gloade is a native of Antigua, West Indies whose family migrated to the Bronx when he was nine years old. He made his way to Connecticut when he was 29, and ultimately made a life in Derby, where he resides with his wife Nelda Carrion-Gloade. The couple have three grown children, Melinda, Brian-Michael and Madeline.

Not long after Gloade joined the DFD, he recalled the first time he accompanied fellow firefighters one October to Derby Middle School and Bradley School to teach students about fire prevention. Gloade didn’t realize the impact firefighters made until a trip to the supermarket.

​“I’m a simplistic individual and the greatest thing I remember is when I was in the supermarket not long after the fire prevention program when a young child came up to me and said ​‘you’re the firefighter that came to my school,’” Gloade said. ​“That was it for me. It’s the one thing that resonates with me to this day that made me want to continue doing this. Even if I can change the life of one person, it’s all worth it.”

Gloade worked his way up the ranks over the years, serving as third, second and most recently first assistant fire chief. This past Saturday (Jan. 7), Gloade was promoted to fire chief, a position he’s proud to carry out for the next two years. He is the Derby Fire Department’s first Black chief, according to The Connecticut Post. Officials confirmed this Tuesday evening.

​“I found this place in a damn good position, thanks to (former) Fire Chief David Lenart, and what I expect out of this new position as fire chief is to leave it in an even better place,” Gload said. ​“I will try to grow and maintain what we’ve been doing for years. We’ve been very proactive with training, so we’ll continue that. The basics of fire service is simplistic. You put the wet stuff on the red stuff. I believe it’s best to keep things simple. I live by the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).”

While he works full-time as an accountant in Stamford, Gloade knows his phone will always be on, and he’ll be at the ready when his firefighting duties call.

​“I knew what I signed up for, and I look at this opportunity, now as chief, to give something back to the community,” Gloade said.

As fire chief, Gloade will oversee the department’s 80 to 90 active members, each of the city’s individual fire houses, and be the guy responsible at every fire emergency in town, among other duties. Gloade said he’s grateful to Lenart for showing him the ropes.

​“I owe a lot to him and I learned a lot from him,” Gloade said. ​“You have to soak up things like a sponge and teach others the right and wrong way of doing things. I’m proud of this entire fire service. Everyone is willing to lend a hand to get the job done, or just be a shoulder to lean on.”

Lenart, reached by text, said he is proud to have Gloade at the helm.

​“Chief Gloade is an incredible leader,” Lenart said. ​“We accomplished a lot together and I have the utmost confidence in him continuing to move the department forward.”

Mayor Richard Dziekan echoed similar sentiments about Gloade.

​“He’s a very smart guy and he’s a great, go-to guy who is there any time you need him,” said Dziekan. ​“He’s very professional and he knows the job, and I’m very confident about him stepping into the fire chief’s position.”