Greenwich Selectmen Appoint New Assistant Fire Chief

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen on Thursday unanimously approved the appointment of new Assistant Fire Chief Justin McCarthy, who comes to town from New Haven where he has served in the same role since 2021.

Greenwich Fire Chief Joseph McHugh presented McCarthy to the board ahead of the vote.

"We're very fortunate to have [Justin]. He is a rising star in the New Haven Fire Department, and we're very fortunate to get him here in the town of Greenwich," McCarthy said. "He comes with a lot of experience in New Haven working several busy companies. I think his knowledge and skill set and his abilities will benefit the department and this town."

The appointment fills the vacancy left by former Assistant chief Brian Koczak, who left the Greenwich Fire Department last November.

McCarthy detailed his biography and thanked the chief and the selectmen for the opportunity.

"If appointed, I look forward to serving the town of Greenwich," he said.

McCarthy was born and raised in Westport, where his father was the chief of the fire department before retiring in 2003. McCarthy obtained a fire science degree from the University of New Haven, and worked at the Wilton Fire Department for a year before moving on to the New Haven Fire Department. He also has a law degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law.

McCarthy rose through the ranks in New Haven, and served on the executive board of the fire union as well as the safety committee. He was then asked to run logistics for a year for New Haven during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, McCarthy was promoted to assistant chief and served directly under Chief John Alston.

McCarthy told the selectmen one of his biggest accomplishments as assistant chief in New Haven was moving more towards the implementation of Information Technolgy, which allowed the fire department to reduce the number of grievances from the fire union from about 85-90 a year down to single digits.

"Since then we've worked very well with the union to put to bed a lot of past animosity that came from a union labor management relationship," McCarthy said. "It was very positive because it allowed for us to progress the department forward very quickly and allowed us to put forth a lot of initiatives."

During his time in New Haven, McCarthy said he also put forward numerous diversity plans for both hiring and promotions.

He currently lives in Westport.

First Selectman Fred Camillo officially welcomed McCarthy to Greenwich after the board voted to approve his appointment.

"We look forward to working with you for many years to come," Camillo said.

A swearing-in ceremony is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks.