Allan Appel Photo
New deputy chief Watkins with baby and wife Karissa
New Haven’s littlest firefighter has already fought a fight for his life and prevailed — from being a one-pound-six ounce “micro-preemie” to a healthy 15-month old baby boy.
That little guy, James Watkins, Jr., was on hand Tuesday afternoon to lend his voice at a crowded and steamy Career High School auditorium, to cheer on his dad, James Watkins, as he was promoted to deputy chief in the the New Haven Fire Department.
In an emotional and family-affair pinning and swearing-in ceremony, the department promoted four officers to deputy chief, four to battalion chief, along with making five captains and 11 lieutenants.
The deputy chiefs take their oath
That will fill the long-vacant ranks of fire department brass. Officials said the vacancies contributed to overtime budget problems because by law the department must maintain mandatory minimum staffing with leadership officers on every shift.
During Chief John Alston, Jr.‘s appearance last month before the Board of Alders for renewal of his contract, he said the department is projected to end the year $2.8 million above its overtime budget, which was approved at $1.869 million for the year.
The now full complement of high-ranking officers will “provide cost-savings to the city and its taxpayers vis-a-vis mandatory minimum staffing for each and every shift,” according to a city press release.
The child of a New Haven school assistant principal, Watkins was raised at the Farnam Court Townhouses on Grand Avenue, and schooled at Nathan Hale Magnet in Morris Cove and Hillhouse High School. He went off to Howard University and returned to New Haven to become a firefighter at age 23.
Newly minted captains, and study partners, Wishart and Vargas.
Roll the clock ahead 20 years and a six months of hitting the books, and he’s a deputy chief.
He said he is proud of what the department is accomplishing and a touch nervous assuming the new responsibilities, which involve mastering the department’s SOGs, or standard operating guidelines, and keeping up with progressing national standards for the fire service.
Leonard Wishart, Jr. and David Vargas studied eight hours a day for six months as partners to prepare for their captain’s exam.
They’re both stationed at Squad One on Whitney Avenue. They sacrificed a lot of family time in order to prepare for the required oral and written exams. Their bible was the department’s SOGs. Wishart said they were good friends before they studied together, and critiqued each other’s answers; they remain good friends afterwards.
Christian Cordero and Riggott, in the lobby, before the swearing in.
New Lieutenants Christian Cordero and William Riggott did not study together, in part because they are stationed at different firehouses and also because Riggott has spent the last seven months as a firefighter in the Middle East while serving with the Connecticut Air National Guard.
Christian Cordero received his badge from his dad, current NHFD Battalion Chief Felipe Cordero. It was a busy night for the elder Cordero. He also pinned a second son as a lieutenant, Ian Cordero.
A lieutenant in the New Haven fire service is in charge of a crew of four. A captain supervises eight people; a battalion chief, 37. A deputy chief’‘s responsibility are department-wide.
Mayor Toni Harp swore in all the new officers in three waves by rank “Statistically July 4 causes the highest number of fire calls” nationally, she observed. “You’ll be busy tomorrow putting public safety above private pursuits.”
Watkins pinned by Karissa.
Here’s the full list of the 24 promotions by rank:
Deputy Chiefs: Bruce Galaski; James Watkins; Robert Ortiz; and Timothy Kieley
Battalion Chiefs: Herschel Wadley; Thayer Baldwin: Jonathan Brown: James Kottage
Captains: Johnnie Cooper; Todd Parker: Leonard Wishart, jr; Michael Farrell; David Vargas.
Lieutenants: Christian Cordero; Thomas Quinn’ James Tyer; Ernest Jones; Ian Cordero; Matthew Ferguson: Josue Vega, Jr.; Christopher Frakl; William Riggott; Sean McGovern; Harggy Bosley, III.