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Stratford Fire Chief
James Cavanaugh

Chief Cavanaugh brings almost 30 years of experience to the Town of

Stratford - with the majority of his time in Waterbury’s Fire Department on

the line as a firefighter and fire officer and serving as Chief. His

education, training and three decades of experience in fire service will

serve both the citizens of Stratford and its firefighters well during this

transition time while we conduct a nationwide search.

Chief Cavanaugh joined the Waterbury Fire Department in July 1972 after

being honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. He was promoted to

Lieutenant in 1981, Captain in 1983, Battalion Chief in 1987 and Deputy

Chief in 1995. He retired in April 1999 as Deputy Chief.

In July 2003, Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura asked Cavanaugh to return to

Waterbury’s Fire Department to serve as Chief,

which he did until February 2005.

During his tenure as Waterbury's Fire Chief, Chief Cavanaugh assisted in

negotiating a labor contract with Local 1339, supervised an efficiency study

of the entire department ordered by the State Oversight Board and

implemented a new work schedule which took the department from the

traditional four shift (42 hours schedule)

to a three shift (24 hour schedule.).

Chief Cavanaugh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from the

University of New Haven and is a life-long resident of Waterbury.

You may contact Chief Cavanaugh at jcavanaugh@townofstratford.com