Mayor swore in two to fire department

(6/13/2006) Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. swore in a new assistant drillmaster and assistant chief of operations for the New Haven Fire Department.

Firefighter Antonio Almodovar, a nine-year veteran of the department, was sworn in as assistant drillmaster. He served as an adjunct instructor for the class of 2004 at the Training Academy and has been assigned to Engine 8, Division 1.

Battalion Chief Ralph Black, Jr., who has been with the department for nearly 20 years, was named assistant chief of operations. Battalion Chief Black has taken National Fire Academy courses in hazardous materials and incident command, and spent time doing peer counseling at the World Trade Center after September 11.

The swearing-in took place on June 12, 2006 at fire headquarters.