Acting Fire Chief Appointed In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples has been appointed Acting Hamden Fire Chief, Mayor Lauren Garrett announced Friday.

Naples was appointed to the position following the retirement of Fire Chief Gary Merwede, who served the Hamden Fire Department for more than 28 years, including serving as fire chief from 2018 through 2022.

Naples has served the Hamden Fire Department for the past 16 years as a firefighter, lieutenant, and station captain.

“He has a proven track record as a Fire Officer, including Incident Management, Fireground Operations, Station Management, and collaboration on administrative projects,” officials wrote in a news release. “Acting Fire Chief Naples received a Master of Science in Emergency Management from University of New Haven and has attended the National Fire Academy. Acting Fire Chief Naples has proven experience in teambuilding, decision making, operations management, and interpersonal communications.”

“I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples as Hamden’s Acting Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Management, effective 12:01 p.m. today,” Garrett said in the news release. “I have had the opportunity to work closely with Acting Fire Chief Naples over the past few months. I am confident in naming him as Acting Fire Chief as we continue to partner on transformational changes to the Fire Department through unprecedented hiring and promotions along with major improvements to our fleet and safety equipment, and the construction of a new flagship fire station. My partnership with Acting Fire Chief Naples will allow for a seamless transition. I wish former Fire Chief Gary Merwede a well-earned retirement.”