New Fire Chief Lyle Discusses Department, Goals

Yesterday we profile former fire chief Lyman Gilbert.  Today, we bring you a feature on new fire chief Rick Lyle.

Southbury's new fire chief, Rick Lyle, took office on July 1, after previous chief Lyman Gilbert decided not to run for re-election after four years of service.

Lyle, 44, has been with the Southbury Volunteer Firemen's Association (SVFA) since 1998 after growing up in nearby Woodbury. There, he joined the Woodbury junior firefighters corps in 1982 and became a regular fireman for the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department in 1984.

"[you] helped out where you could," Lyle said.

Lyle's family has been deeply involved in emergency response and law enforcement. His father was a fireman from age 16, starting on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and was also a police officer in Woodbury for 31 years.

Lyle's brother Douglas was a lifelong firefighter and close to becoming a lieutenant in Woodbury but died five years ago in a motorcycle accident after his rear tire blew out, according to an article published on Aug. 16, 2005 on ctpost.com.

Lyle pointed to the importance of family, both in his decision to become a firefighter and in the environment of Southbury's fire department.

 "It's a family organization," he said.

Lyle said the SVFA is not a "me organization," and the members of the department are very hard working.

 "We've all worked together really well," he said.

Lyle said he started on the bottom in Southbury, riding in SVFA's car 6.

 "I gradually moved up the line ever since," he said.

By 2000, Lyle had become an officer in the SVFA, making the rank of lieutenant. After Gilbert — his longtime friend both in and out of the department — decided not to run for the fire chief position for a fifth year, Lyle put himself up for consideration.

 "[It's] just a normal succession of things," Lyle said. "[It's] what I've worked for."

Lyle called Gilbert a hard worker and said he had a lot of fun working with him.

Gilbert said the two get along very well and their relationship is good. Gilbert said he thinks Lyle will "absolutely" do a good job as chief.

Gilbert remembers the first time he met Lyle. They were on their way to a call in a fire truck and Gilbert didn't know how to get there, but Lyle gave him the directions.

 "The guys made a good choice," Gilbert said of Lyle's election.

When asked about any exceptional situations he has faced during his time at the SVFA, Lyle said "it's amazing what we would consider ordinary or normal."

 "[There are] always situations where you wish you could have done more," Lyle said. "You take it and you deal with it."

One of the current projects Lyle is working on as fire chief is overseeing the design and construction of a new combination tanker and engine, which he called an exciting new concept. Lyle said a committee designs the specifications for the vehicle, which are then sent to builders, who submit bids. The process can take years.

Lyle also has to balance getting the vehicle the department wants with the department's budget. The combination vehicle will bring down costs, as Lyle says the department is trying to their part in keeping the town budget down.

 "The town of Southbury has always been very good [to the department]," Lyle said.

The budget will be the department's biggest challenge, according to Lyle. While the town wants no increase in the department's budget, there are a lot of variables that Lyle must deal with.

 "It's tough," he said.

Lyle also said training is a focus, including new types of training to keep firefighters interested and to expand the skills of the department as well as reinforcing the basics of firefighting.

 "Anything that will sharpen their skills," Lyle said.

Thus far into his new position, Lyle is "excited about doing it." He said the wealth of knowledge in the department from former chiefs, including Lyman Gilbert, is a valuable asset. Lyle is looking forward to this new challenge.