Pittsfield Names New Fire Chief
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Mayor James M. Ruberto named Deputy Chief Robert Czerwinski as the new acting chief of the Fire Department effective Jan. 17.
"Czerwinski will hit the ground running, he is an excellent fire officer and is second to none in emergency management and hazardous materials issues," said Sullivan. "I am confident that I am leaving the Pittsfield Fire Department in good hands and he also has all of the knowledge and skills of all of the other Pittsfield Fire Department Officers and members at his disposal as well."
Czerwinski started his firefighting career in 1973 as a volunteer with the New Hackensack Fire Company in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He joined the Pittsfield Fire Department in 1987 and worked his way up from being a firefighter and emergency medical technician to lieutenant of the Fire Suppression Division and emergency medical services coordinator, to captain of training and fire suppression. In 2003, he was promoted to deputy chief and is the city's emergency management coordinator.
"I'm honored to be chosen for this position. I look forward to working with the mayor, the City Council, and all of other department administrators in leading one of the best fire departments in the commonwealth of Massachusetts," said Czerwinski, thanking the mayor for giving him the opportunity.
Ruberto said selecting Czerwinski was an easy decision because of his dedication to the city and department.
"Although we are sad that Chief Sullivan is retiring, I know that Deputy Chief Czerwinski will do an outstanding job leading our Fire Department," he said.
Czerwinski, a native of New York State, moved to Pittsfield in 1983. He is divorced with three children, Meggan, Amanda and Robert, all living in Pittsfield. He has a very supportive girlfriend, former City Clerk Jody L. Phillips, and ex-wife, Christine Mariconti–Czerwinski.
Sullivan, who joined the department in 1977, is retiring after nearly four years as chief, after replacing Stephen Duffy. Both the city's fire chief and police chief are designated as "acting" because the positions are listed on the Civil Service rolls, which would require Ruberto to chose from the top three candidates applying for the job. The mayor has preferred to appoint those positions at his discretion.
