The West Hartford Fire Department held a badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, welcoming a new fire marshal and fire mechanic, and pinning the eight recruits who recently graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy.

West Hartford firefighters who just graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy received their badges during a ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

At a ceremony Thursday in the Town Hall auditorium, the West Hartford Fire Department welcomed a new fire marshal and fire mechanic, and the eight recruits who graduated Dec. 10 from the Connecticut Fire Academy were officially given their badges.

Assistant Chief Mike Sinsigalli, who also serves as the fire marshal, is retiring this month, and Robert Grimaldi has been appointed as the department’s new fire marshal.

Grimaldi was hired in November 2019 as deputy fire marshal after nearly three decades of service with the Bristol Fire Department, and is “eminently qualified” to lead the fire marshal’s office, Chief Greg Priest said.

“It is not uncommon for friendly banter between our operations division and the marshal’s office with jokes that the fire marshals want to blow out candles on birthday cakes to prevent fires and various versions to that joke,” Priest said. “Deep down though, each division, no matter how big or how many personnel are assigned, relies upon the other to perform critical functions in our core mission which is to protect the citizens of West Hartford.”

Assistant Chief Mike Sinsigalli, who is also the fire marshal, will be retiring from the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Sinsigalli has been with the department for 22 years, Priest said. “He’s literally considered a subject matter expert in his field and has deftly navigated a growing town while faced with many challenges. He is a pariah to the operations division having prevented numerous fires that they were then not able to fight.”

Grimaldi was given the oath of office for his new position Thursday by Mayor Shari Cantor.

Fire Marshal Robert Grimaldi is sworn in during the West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Jeremiah Bassett, who was previously a mechanic with the West Hartford Public Works Department, was also sworn in officially Thursday for his role as fire mechanic.

Bassett has already been hard at work in his new role, and Assistant Chief O’Callaghan praised him for getting things done amid many challenges, including back-ordered parts.

Newly-appointed Fire Mechanic Jeremiah Bassett is pinned at the West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“I was thinking, man this guy is cool under pressure,” O’Callaghan said. “Well come to find out Jeremiah is a hockey coach and he is in charge of corralling 60 little hockey players which is probably equal to trying to corral five firefighters near an ice cream bar.”

The eight recruits who received their badges were among the 10 new hires welcomed by the West Hartford Fire Department on Aug. 31. Firefighter Joseph Lee and Firefighter Erik Wilson were already certified and immediately assigned duties, while the other eight began a rigorous 16-week training program as part of the Connecticut Fire Academy’s Class 68, along with recruits from Bridgeport, Bristol, Easton, East Hartford, East Haven, Fairfield, Greenwich Manchester, Middletown, Naugatuck, New London, North Haven, Ridgefield, Southington, Torrington, West Haven, Willimantic, and Wilton.

Priest said the entire West Hartford group received high praise at the Fire Academy, but also acknowledged a few notable achievements from the recruits’ training experience, including that Firefighter Vince Avarista was one of two recruits in the 70-person Fire Academy class to earn the prestigious “Instructors award,” and Firefighter Derek McDermott was selected by his peers to be class platoon leader.

West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Kristen Tyrseck served in the honor guard for the graduation ceremony, and Firefighters Audrey Ozga and Pierre Descollines were featured in a recruiting video promoting diversity.

The Connecticut Fire Academy training program is extremely rigorous, O’Callaghan said, and includes “long runs during the extreme heat and bitter cold. Running towers until you are dizzy. Going through obstacles in full firefighting gear, soaked in sweat, on your belly, back, or knees or whatever body part you have to get through.” You’re under a microscope and constantly being judged while also homesick and lonely.

“Some say the CFA is too difficult and some challenging parts are unnecessary. I do not agree. I believe this is where we find our next great leaders who navigate stress, chaos, failure, and hardship,” O’Callaghan said.

When he saw the first report cards from the eight new recruits, O’Callaghan said he was so proud. He told them so in an email – the only way he was able to communicate with them during the training – telling them they were connected by one simple word: grit. “You all have it and are demonstrating ownership of this word every day …”

Priest extended his congratulations and said this is a great community, a great team, and he has high expectations. “The four cornerstones on the Chief’s Challenge Coin are duty, pride, commitment, and excellence. They are good guides for a successful career. Live up to each one. Do your best and represent the patch well.”

Firefighter Xavier Harrelle speaks at the West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Kristen Tyrseck is pinned by her children. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Ryan Gonska. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Derek McDermott. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Pierre DesCollines. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firegither Vince Avarista. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Jonathan Bush. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Audrey Ozga. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Firefighter Xavier Harrelle. West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Battalion Chief Keith Albert served as emcee at a West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Town Manager Matt Hart shared remarks at a West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mayor Shari Cantor shares some remarks before swearing in the new fire marshal and fire mechanic at the West Hartford Fire Department badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 16, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Fire Department leadership team includes (from left) Assistant Chief Hugh O’Callaghan, Assistant Chief Mike Sinsigalli, and Chief Greg Priest. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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