Police Officer John Kiernan, 44, is making history as the first Greenwich police officer in anyone's memory to transfer to the Greenwich Fire Department.

But for Kiernan, who put in 20 years with the New York City Fire Department before taking a job at the Greenwich Police Department, the move is neither unprecedented nor surprising.

"Fighting fires is just instinctual to me. It's what I do. I don't even have to think about it," Kiernan said. "I like the brotherhood and the camaraderie there. It's what I'm used to."

The Long Island resident left the New York City Fire Department in 2000 when he had amassed his 20 years of service and was eligible for a pension.

"I was about to be promoted to lieutenant at that point, but I had a financial decision to make and I needed the new job to make a double salary," he said.

He began the police job in early 2001, and quickly won a departmental award for resuscitating a 36-year-old woman who had no pulse and a chronic heart condition when the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred.

"I would have been down there in my old job, and I started to wonder spiritually if someone was looking out for me," he said.

Kiernan lost 16 close friends that day.

"A lot of people say that there is no action in Greenwich, but I don't mind not having to run around all of the time with my gun drawn or fighting huge fires," he said. "I hope I never have to go to another funeral in my entire civil service career. They hurt."

He said he regrets leaving the police department at a time when he feels like he is just becoming completely comfortable with a lot of his fellow officers.

"I know, though, that I'll bond with new people and make new friends. Plus, wherever there's fire, there's going to be police, too. I'll still see the same people," Kiernan said.

He also said he thought the firefighters' schedules were more accommodating to his lifestyle, since they work 24-hour shifts instead of eight-hour shifts in the middle of a day. He said he has begun taking classes toward a bachelor's degree in emergency management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and expects he'll be better able to finish his classes with the new schedule.

Kiernan, who is scheduled to be sworn in Sept. 29, is slated to spend 12 weeks at the fire academy in Windsor Locks. When he returns from training early next year, he'll likely work as a "floater" before being assigned to a specific station, Fire Chief Dan Warzoha said.

Warzoha said he was looking forward to working with an experienced veteran.

"He'll be a tremendous addition to the staff, with his background in the New York City Fire Department," Warzoha said. "And he is one of the nicest guys anyone would want to meet. I'm sure the police department is not happy about losing him."

Police Chief James Walters said he wished Kiernan luck and understood why he was leaving to pursue his true passion, but added that the vacancy leaves the department strapped for staff.

Nevertheless, Kiernan, who is married and has a 16-year-old daughter, said he is looking forward to reconnecting with his roots.

"Fire burns at the same temperature no matter where you are," he said. "It always has to be put out."