The Brattleboro Fire Department announces the promotion of Captain Leonard Howard to the position of Assistant Fire Chief. Captain Howard is a 29 year veteran of the department. He joined the Call Staff in 1987 and was hired to the Career Staff in 1997. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2001 and then to shift captain in 2007.
Throughout his career, Captain Howard has been a very strong advocate of training and he holds many certifications, including Fire Officer II, National Registered Emergency Medical Technician, and Fire Service Instructor. Captain Howard also is an NFPA certified Fire Inspector, has extensive training in fire origin/cause and arson investigations, and has taken numerous hours of supervisory and management training through the Vermont Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy.
As part of the promotional process, Captain Howard was interviewed by a 5-person board (including representatives from our Town government and community, and two out-of-town fire officials) who unanimously recommended his promotion. He was then interviewed by Town Manager Peter Elwell, Chief Michael Bucossi, and Assistant Chief Peter Lynch. After the review of both interviews, Town Manager Elwell offered the Assistant Chief’s position to Captain Howard.
Current Assistant Chief Lynch has accepted the position of Chief of Fire Service Training for the State of Vermont at the Vermont Fire Academy. His last day with the Town will be August 26.
Captain Howard will assume his new duties on Tuesday, September 6. He will help supervise the daily operations of the department, will oversee the fire inspections and prevention division, will provide leadership on departmental training, and will serve as the Town’s Acting Health Officer.
For Immediate Release
Chief Michael Bucossi
08/17/16
