Lockwood To Step Down As Fire Marshal

By Andrew Gorosko

“To make schools, churches, and places of public assembly safe… to enhance public safety, that was my goal,” said Fire Marshal George F. Lockwood, who this week informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that he will retire as the town’s first full-time fire marshal in January.

Mr Lockwood’s work in fire investigations dates back to 1968, when he became a deputy fire marshal. In 1993, he became the town fire marshal, and in 1998 Mr Lockwood became the town’s first full-time fire marshal.

Although Mr Lockwood, 64, is retiring as fire marshal, he says wants to keep an iron in the fire, so to speak, remaining on as a deputy fire marshal to help staff the busy fire marshal’s office at the town offices in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Lockwood said staying on as a town deputy marshal will preserve his state certification as a fire marshal. Next year is the last year of a state program which encourages homeowners to remove buried underground heating fuel storage tanks, and should be an especially busy time for the town fire marshal’s office, so his help will be needed, Mr Lockwood said. Fire marshals inspect the removal of such buried tanks.

“I have seen an awful lot of things happen in Newtown,” said Mr Lockwood, who has been a member of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company for the past 49 years.

The fire marshal recalls major fires at Ricky’s Shopping Center, The Yankee Drover Inn, and Tuttle’s Glen Lodge that drew scores of local firemen to extinguish the blazes.

“There were a lot of large fires,” he said.

 “Every fire must be investigated by the fire marshal, no matter how small it is,” he added.

 To prevent fires and potential fatalities, the fire marshal’s office carries out a vigorous inspection program to ensure that many local buildings comply with fire safety codes, he said.

All buildings, except those which house one or two families, are subject to annual fire inspections, involving exitways, emergency lighting, fire alarms, and other public safety features, he said. Buildings not meeting fire safety standards are issued abatement orders.

“Most people realize what our job is… that we’re just trying to help them,” Mr Lockwood said.

“The inspections are what keep the fires down,” he said, adding that keeping people aware of fire safety prevents many fires from ever happening. After a building is inspected for fire safety several times, the occupants get the sense that fire safety is important and they keep it in mind in the operation of that building, Mr Lockwood said.

In the future, the fire marshal’s office plans to seek out the many local illegal apartments and enforce the fire safety codes, Mr Lockwood said.

Although his work as the town’s full-time fire marshal may be drawing to a close, Mr Lockwood plans to stay active in the community.

“I’ll still be doing volunteer work for different organizations,” he said. Also, Mr Lockwood said he plans to travel with his wife, Carol.

Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Halstead, who has worked closely with Mr Lockwood in the fire marshal’s office for the past several years, said, “George and I have had a really good working relationship,” adding that they work well together on fire prevention.

Kevin Cragin, the civilian chairman of the town’s Board of Fire Commissioners, said, “I’ve worked with George for over 20 years. I have the deepest professional respect for George and I consider him a good friend.” Mr Lockwood is one of the best fire marshals in the area, Mr Cragin said.

Besides their professional relationship, Mr Cragin said he has enjoyed the social events he has shared with the fire marshal.

“George is a good example of a volunteer,” Mr Cragin said of Mr Lockwood’s work with the Sandy Hook volunteer firemen.

Mr Lockwood was going to many fires, many years ago, as volunteer at 2 am in the morning and in zero-degree weather, Mr Cragin said.

“The dedication is there,” Mr Cragin added.

 Of Mr Lockwood’s many years of service, First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal said, “I appreciate his dedicated service to the town in many capacities… I certainly will miss George.”

 The Board of Fire Commissioners is seeking applicants for a person to replace Mr Lockwood as fire marshal. Mr Cragin said the board expects to name a person to the post later this fall.