Middletown Mayor Selects Acting Chief Woron As Fire Chief

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim has selected John "Jay" Woron II as the next chief of the fire department, according to a news release.

Woron has been acting chief since July, when Chief Robert Kronenberger and Deputy Chief Albert Leary retired. The Common Council will vote to approve or reject the appointment.

Woron, a third-generation firefighter, was a volunteer firefighter in Wallingford before joining the Middletown Fire Department in 1997. He has been Assistant Chief for 15 years and oversees the department's Training Division, EMS Division, and Safety Division.

“Middletown is fortunate to have an outstanding fire service that has truly come into its own under the leadership of Chief Kronenberger and Deputy Chief Leary,” Mayor Florsheim said in the news release.“They leave big shoes to fill, but I am confident that Acting Chief Woron is well-equipped to do the job. His experience, training, and relationships within the department helped him rise to the top in a field of truly outstanding candidates. He is the person best equipped to take the reins of the department on day one, with no learning curve, and for that reason I know he has the confidence of the men and women of the Middletown Fire Department as well."

Florsheim also said he is confident Woron is the right person to lead the department into the future and train the younger firefighters and officers into leaders. Woron is director of training for the Middlesex County Regional Fire School and has also been an instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy for 33 years.

Woron said it was a supreme honor to be chosen, and said he was "extremely fortunate" to lead the Middletown Fire Department after Kronenberger.

“The citizens and visitors of the City of Middletown are fortunate to be protected by the very talented and experienced men and women of the Middletown Fire Department," he said in the news release. "The services provided by our department rival any fire department in the State of Connecticut. It is an honor to defend the legacy built by those members of the department that came before us, those who serve now and those who will serve in the future. We look forward to continue to accomplish great things as a department moving forward.”