MANCHESTER -- Manchester fire Battalion Chief Heather Burford's appointment this week as the new fire chief in Ridgefield marks two apparent firsts.
Burford is believed to be the first female chief of a paid department in Connecticut, according to state firefighter associations. And, Ridgefield officials say, she may be the town's first female firefighter.
Burford, however, said emphasis should not be placed on her possible status as the first female fire chief in a paid department.
"It's certainly no different than anybody being made the chief of an organization. It doesn't matter if you're male or female," Burford said. "I'm very excited. I'm at a point in my career where I'm ready for this challenge."
Connecticut has had at least one other female chief, Janet Morgan in Woodbury, which has a volunteer department.
The Ridgefield Board of Selectmen hired Burford Wednesday and she begins her new position May 8. Her last day in Manchester is April 21.
Burford joined the Manchester Fire Department in 1993 and has served as a paramedic and fire lieutenant. She was promoted to battalion chief in 2000. She is primarily responsible for the department's emergency medical services delivery system. She also has overseen the department's hazardous materials response program.
Manchester Fire Chief Robert Bycholski said fire chiefs "have to be inspiring, dedicated, technically competent, politically astute, dynamic, credible and I think that, for the most part, she possesses those characteristics. And she'll learn on the job."
From what Richard Lawlor, Ridgefield acting fire chief, has heard about his new boss, she will be able to help his department move toward being more proactive, he said.
"She's a new type of leader. From what I've seen and heard, she's a progressive fire service leader," Lawlor said.
Lawlor believes that Burford is the first female firefighter to serve in the department; certainly the only woman in memory.
"She's been a firefighter for many years and I'm sure she'll fit right in. Firefighters have an immediate bond," Lawlor said.
Burford said the opportunities she's had in Manchester made it possible to be a competitive candidate in Ridgefield.
"I was encouraged to take courses and to seek a degree," Burford said. "Because of those opportunities, I ended up being competitive on the outside."
Burford said leaving Manchester was a difficult decision to make, but the right thing for her career: "It doesn't come without emotion ... because the department has been so good to me for so many years."
