Mullets Are Back In Branford, For These 5 Firefighters, Anyway

BRANFORD, CT — Branford firefighter/paramedic Mike Olejarczyk has a wedding to go to in early November and, unlike those who’ll cut it off as soon as the fundraiser ends, he may just keep the mullet and sport it at the nuptials. He may or may not be kidding.

Last spring, Olejarczyk and four of his brother firefighters, Tyler Olt, Riley O'Donnell, Chris Fig, and Capt. Randy Chittenden, were working on coming up with a new fundraiser to help the community. The conversation segued into the news that the department's deputy chief's brother-in-law had grown his hair out to mullet for his new driver license photo. They didn’t have to brainstorm long.

The Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter is in need of funds for its expansion and well, the mullet sounded like a cool idea and, since dogs are found in an animal shelter, it made sense Olejarczyk said and Mullets for Mutts was conceived.

Animal shelter director Laura Burban she was approached by a few of the Branford Professional Firefighters Local 2533 on how they might be able to help.

“They came back with Mullets For Mutts, which is not only such an awesome idea, but it is unique, fun and whimsical,” she said and the Cosgrove shelter was on board.

“We do a lot of fundraisers to help our community. We never did one for animals before but we thought, ‘Hey, animals need help, too,’” Olejarczyk told Patch. “We wanted it to be fun and this was definitely it.”

Mullets have been around for centuries, it turns out, but has been an on-again, off-again trend since the late 60s. The hairstyle calls for the front and sides to be cut trim, with the back long.

Olejarczyk said it’s taken a few months for all five to grow out their hair, but they are definitely mullet-ed.

“But it’s for a really good cause,” Olejarczyk said, adding that he's gotten used to it.

The fundraiser runs now through Oct. 31 and folks may donate here.

“We want to thank our firefighters for helping us to raise money towards renovations of our new building,” Burban said. “This entire process has been a huge community effort and we are thankful for everyone’s support.”

Donate here.