New Stratford Fire Chief Sworn In At Ceremony

STRATFORD, CT — It's official. Stratford has a new fire chief, after Brian Lampart was sworn in as head of the department earlier this week.

Lampart was a deputy chief and the department's fire marshal before his appointment in late January to the top spot, following the resignation of former chief Robert McGrath.

"We have the best fire department, we have the best men and women, in public safety," Mayor Laura Hoydick said to the crowd at Monday's swearing-in ceremony, which filled the Town Council chambers and included state representatives, councilmen, and current and former Stratford first responders.

Capt. Jermaine Atkinson recounted Lampart's lifelong career in fire service, which Lampart started as a volunteer at age 16. Three years later in 1988, Lampart began working in Stratford, where he was a line firefighter, a lieutenant and a deputy fire marshal, before being promoted to fire marshal and deputy chief.

As fire marshal, Lampart investigated the Shakespeare theater blaze that destroyed the historic venue in January of 2019. He also trained at the local and federal levels, served as the department's public information officer and was acting fire chief in 2011.

As the new leader of the fire department, Lampart will be responsible for its day-to-day operations, budget, compliance with training regulations and more.

"I will carry through with this," Lampart said during a brief speech, which the audience received with a standing ovation.

Lampart thanked a long list of people in his remarks, among them his family, including, "two of the best kids that anybody could ever ask for."

Lampart's wife, Trish, and his daughters, Katie and Gina, stood by his side as he was sworn in by Hoydick.