Ridgefield Starting Fire Chief Search in January

Ridgefield will begin the process of replacing former Fire Chief Heather Burford this month, said First Selectman Rudy Marconi.

Burford, who served as Ridgefield chief for seven years took a job in Florida with a department about twice Ridgefield’s size. She announced her decision on Dec. 1, and at that time officials in Seminole County, Fla., were checking her resume and references. 

While making her decision public, Burford said she is single and free to move to Florida, which she said is ahead of Connecticut in modern firefighting. Burford said Seminole is part of a countywide regional dispatch program that involves police, fire and EMS dispatch that cover more than 1 million people. She said regional dispatch is something the Ridgefield area is talking about, but hasn't realized yet.

Burford came to Ridgefield from Manchester, where she worked her way up from firefighter to firefighter/paramedic, lieutenant, battalion chief over 13 years. Before that she worked as a volunteer firefighter in Wilton for two years.

Marconi said some time in January Ridgefield will announce it is looking for applications for the fire chief’s job.

“That will open up the process,” Marconi said.