Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently appointed town resident Richard Fontana Jr. to represent the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities large cities on the state Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.{{more}}
Fontana is the Deputy Director for the City of New Haven Office of Emergency Management Operations.
“It is my pleasure and privilege to appoint you,” Malloy wrote to Fontana.
“I am honored to serve along and advocate for some of the best men and women who wear the uniform,” Fontana said.
He retired from the West Haven Fire Department where he spent 30 years as a paramedic and career firefighter with two departments.
He now prepares for and responds to emergency incidents in New Haven.
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill also congratulated Fontana.
“…I commend you for your willingness to use your time and talents to serve our state. … I hope you will use my office as a resource whenever necessary,” Merrill wrote.
On the commission Fontana will play an advocacy role.
“There is some good legislation that could benefit the fire departments career and volunteer (members),” he said.
Fontana has been with the City of New Haven for six years.
He is a liaison to the mayor’s office. He makes sure that anyone put out by a fire has lodging.
“This is one of those jobs that’s a close second to being a fire fighter. It’s been a very rewarding career,” he said
Fontana earned his fire science administration degree from the University of New Haven and holds a masters degree in national security and public safety.
Fontana also has an appointment on the National League of Cities, Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Advocacy Committee and he is an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven where he lectures on fire science/emergency management program.