Crime & Safety

Greenwich Fire Department Promotes 4 Veteran Firefighters

All have achieved the rank of lieutenant.

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GREENWICH, CT — Four veteran Greenwich firefighters were promoted to the rank of lieutenant during a ceremony before family, friends and fellow firefighters at fire headquarters on Monday. They were sworn in by First Selectman Peter Tesei and Fire Chief Peter Siecienski.

Thirteen-year veteran Mike Stanco will be assigned as Lieutenant Group 2 Engine 4 Glenville.
During the ceremony he was joined by his wife, Kate, twins Savannah and Jordan and parents Ken and Laurie.

Lt. Stanco has a Bachelor of Science in exercise physiology from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Masters of Science in Fire/Arson Investigation from the University of New Haven. He also teaches Fire Investigation at Post University.
His certifications:
  • Fire Service Instructor 2008
  • Fire Officer 2 2008
  • Fire Marshal 2009
  • EMT

Christopher Povella, an 18-year veteran, will be assigned as Lieutenant Group 1 Truck Company at Headquarters. He was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Melissa; children Christopher, Aiden and Caitlin; mother Anne Povella; sister Jaclyn; and in-laws Joe and Maria Yusko.

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Lt. Povella has an AS in Business Administration from SUNY Westchester, and certifications in Fire Investigator 2016, and EMR.

Lt. Russell Paltauf, a 12-year veteran, will be assigned as Lieutenant Group 3 Engine 4 Glenville. He was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Micola; children Ryan and Raegan; father, Richard; and brother, Waterbury Fire Deputy Chief Rich Paltauf.

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Lt. Paltauf has a BA in from Western Connecticut State University, and the following Certifications:

  • Fire Service Instructor 2014
  • Fire Investigator 2016
  • EMT

Lt. Daniel Natale Jr., a veteran of the department for 17 years, will be assigned as Lieutenant Group 4 Engine 3 Byram. He was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Donna; children Sydney, Lena and Danny; his parents, Toni and Dan Natale; and his in-laws, Donna and Joe Santoro. Additionally, a host of other well-wishers also attended.

Lt. Natale has a BA in construction management from Connecticut State University, and the following
Certifications:
  • Fire Service Instructor 2007
  • Fire Officer 2 2010
  • EMT

Photo 1: From left, Assistant Fire Chief Robert Kick, First Selectman Peter Tesei, Lt. Daniel Natale Jr., Lt. Russell Paltauf, Lt. Christopher Povella, Lt. Mike Stanco and Fire Chief Peter Siecienski. Photo credit: Town of Greenwich. Chief and First Selectman, and cake, photos by Alfred Branch

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