How’s this for tradition?
Thomas Lenart, Jr. is the new chief of the Derby Fire Department, just as his grandfather was before him. And just as Edward Cotter, Sr., Lenart’s great-grandfather, was the Derby chief 96 years ago.
Oh, and his father, Thomas Lenart, Sr. is a past chief of Derby Storm Ambulance and Rescue, where his younger brother, David Lenart, is currently chief.
Lenart was officially named Derby fire chief during a packed ceremony Monday night at Hotchkiss Hose Co. #1 at 200 David Humphreys Road.
Lenart, a Greenwich firefighter, will serve two years as chief. He replaces William Nicoletti, who was thanked for his service to the city by Derby Fire Commissioner Kelly Curtis and Mayor Anthony Staffieri.
Kurt Kemmesies was named 1st Assistant Chief. Michael Goodman was named 2nd Assistant Chief. Robert Laskowski, Jr. was named 3rd Assistant Chief.
Watch the top video to see the mayor swear in each new chief.
The ceremony was about tradition, community and family, according to Curtis, who introduced the new chiefs to the crowd.
“Every day firefighters put their lives on the line and sacrifice their own personal safety and well being for the lives of others,” Staffieri said. The fact the Derby fire companies are staffed by volunteers makes the dedication all the more remarkable, the mayor said.
Each new chief had their badges pinned to them by a loved one, whether it was wife, mother, father or girlfriend.
Lenart’s pinning was unique.
It was hard not get caught up in the emotion when his father, past Storms Chief Thomas Lenart, Sr., quietly and quickly gave his son the chief’s badge that had once belonged to the new chief’s grandfather, Edward J. Cotter, Jr.
The legendary Cotter passed away last year. He is a member of the Connecticut firefighter hall of fame, the Derby hall of fame — and the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists’ hall of fame, for his work as a photojournalist.
“It’s an honor to continue my family’s tradition within the Derby Fire Department,” said Lenart, who has been a Derby firefighter since he was 16.
He then paid tribute to his fellow Derby firefighters.
“We’re a very aggressive fire department and I will ensure it continues,” Lenart said.
Watch the video below for Lenart’s complete remarks.
