New Deputy Chief, Lieutenant Named By Westport Fire Department

WESTPORT, CT — Two members of the Westport Fire Department were recently promoted to the roles of deputy chief and lieutenant.

In a news release, Fire Chief Michael Kronick and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced Nicholas Marsan has been promoted to deputy chief while Theodore Crawford was promoted to lieutenant.

They, along with Fire Chief Michael Kronick, were sworn in Tuesday afternoon during a small ceremony at at Town Hall, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Robert Yost, the department's previous fire chief. Yost officially retired Jan. 1.

"I extend congratulations and best wishes to Nick Marsan and Ted Crawford on their well-deserved promotions," Tooker said in a news release. "The hard work, dedication and achievements displayed by these men are a credit to their profession. I have the utmost confidence that, along with Kronick, the fire department and the citizens of Westport are in extremely capable hands with this strong leadership team."

Marsan joined the Westport Fire Department as a career firefighter in 2007. After graduating from the Connecticut Fire Academy, he was assigned to Platoon 3 and served as a firefighter for nine years. He was promoted to fire inspector in 2016 and was assigned to the Fire Marshal's Office for a year before being promoted to lieutenant.

Marsan served as an engine company lieutenant for five years, most of which was spent at Station 4 in the Saugatuck area of town.

He is also a veteran of the US Army and the CT Army National Guard and was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for Valor for actions during operations in Afghanistan. At home, he has received two Westport Rotary Public Protection & Safety Awards and two-unit citations.

"I am very proud of Nick and the contributions that he has made to our department and look forward to his continued leadership as we plan and prepare for the future," Kronick said in a news release. "His management style, innovation, and communication skills are well regarded at all levels of our department, and I know he will continue to positively impact our fire department and our community in his new leadership role."

Marsan is also an EMT, a nationally certified Fire Service Instructor III and Fire Officer III. He is a state-certified fire marshal and, prior to his appointment to deputy chief, served as a fire inspector for Norwalk and Darien.

He was president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Association, Local 1081, and is also a state fire instructor for the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

"I am truly honored to be entrusted with the responsibilities and duties of deputy chief of the Westport Fire Department," Marsan said in a news release. "I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the Westport community in this role and am eager to get to work doing so."

Crawford joined the Westport Fire Department as a career firefighter in 2011. After graduating from the Connecticut Fire Academy, he was assigned to Platoon 2 and served as a firefighter for ten years. He has been assigned to the position of acting lieutenant of Platoon 4 since March.

Crawford is also an EMT, a rescue diver on the Westport Police/Fire Dive Team, a hazardous materials technician on the Fairfield County Hazmat Team and serves as president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation.

He is the recipient of a Westport Rotary Public Protection & Safety Award, Firefighter Dominic Zeoli Award and two unit citations.

"I believe Ted will make an outstanding officer of the department and will be a great asset to our community," Kronick said.

A formal pinning ceremony is planned to take place this spring when residents can properly gather and celebrate the department, Kronick said.