Marlborough Mayor Names Interim Fire Chief

Mayor Arthur G. Vigeant announced the appointment of former Danbury Fire Department (CT) Chief Geoffrey R. Herald as the Interim Fire Chief in the City of Marlborough on the city’s web site on Monday.

Herald will take over for Chief Jim Fortin, who retires as Fire Chief after a commendable 31 year career, all with the City of Marlborough. Herald’s appointment will take effect January 5, 2015. Geoff Herald comes to Marlborough from the City of Danbury, the seventh largest municipality in the State of Connecticut with a population of 80,000.

He began his career as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Danbury in 1974. He rose through the ranks of the Department before being named Chief in 2007. Herald concluded his accomplished career in Danbury last July after leading the department for seven years. Mayor Arthur G. Vigeant said the city conducted an expansive search for the Interim Chief position in order to hire the best qualified candidate possible.

“Geoff Herald is held in high regard throughout Connecticut and has a proven track record of success managing a large public safety organization,” the Mayor stated in the press release. “I am confident his dedication to the fire services and commitment to high standards and excellence will serve our community well.”

Although recently retired, Herald said he remains active as a community college instructor in the Fire Sciences providing advice and technical expertise on firefighter training and education. He views his interim appointment as another opportunity to put his training and experience to use.

“I look forward to leading the Marlborough Fire Department and working with every member of the Department to deliver the highest level of services we can to the community,” Chief Herald said. “Like Chief Fortin before me, the role of a Chief should strive to leave the department stronger than how he found it. I am excited to get to work and getting to know the community and department so we can begin moving forward.”