Page 6 - North Haven Magazine Special Edition Issue 13 2020

An Interview with Paul Januszewski: by Marisa Hexter

North Haven’s Fire Chief

Recently, I had the pleasure of corresponding with North Haven’s Fire Chief, Paul Januszewski,
who allowed me to interview him for this magazine as we say thank you to our many service
people in town during a time where we need community and support the most.
r. Januszewski’s passion for public safe- a course, or learning from my peers I felt as
Mty “was the only path I ever consid- if I wasn’t prepared”. Though he was initially
ered.” Growing up in Enfield, Connecticut, nervous in the new position, as it made him
his childhood years were spent shadowing the youngest career fire chief in the state of in emergency incidents while seeing a de-
his father, the Deputy Chief of the Enfield Connecticut, “The opportunity presented crease in the availability of firefighters”. He
Fire Department. At the age of 16, Paul be- itself… and if I didn’t pursue it at the time also states, “I make decisions everyday that
gan volunteering for the Fire Department. that I did there was a chance that I may have I believe are in the best interest of North
Eventually, he began to balance his life with never had the opportunity”. Haven...I’ve recently been proposing the
working multiple jobs, going to college, and gradual increase of career firefighters in
continuing his volunteering in Enfield. At a When asked about how the position of a order to ensure that no emergency inci-
local community college and fire training firefighter has changed since he started his dent goes unanswered or irresponsibility
center, Paul was able to train as an EMT and career, Paul remarked on how, “everything answered.” Paul also said he “needs people
also obtained his FFI and FFII certifications. was much simpler” but since becoming to ask questions, speak up and become in-
“At that time, the fire service was just start- Chief, “we’ve learned more about the cancer volved” stating “every voice matters!”
ing to become involved in EMS and I faced risks...and I’m committed to doing all that
a lot of criticism for pursuing an EMT certi- I can to maintain a healthy workforce both
fication” though these courses he stated, “are during employment and retirement”.
similar of any volunteer today”. Paul became
a career firefighter at the age of 21 for the Paul states he appreciated the strong rela-
Town of Somers. At 22, he was offered a ca- tionships between the fire department and
reer firefighter position in North Haven. police, public works, the Board of Educa-
tion, and the First Selectman’s Office stating,
“during times of crisis all of our departments
need to work together”. He credits his team
of professionals he works with every day
with moving the fire department forward
in a variety of ways. He also spoke about his Finally, I asked Paul what some of his
mentors through the years. His first men- hobbies are outside of work to which he
tor was his father. “I suppose I was learning responded that he enjoys spending time
at such a young age although at the time I with his kids and being a father. “I’m fo-
didn’t even refer to it then as learning be- cused on making the best of the few short
cause for me it was my passion”. Working years I have left before they’re all grown
with his father allowed Paul to learn a man- up. Whether it’s coaching youth sports,
ager’s perspective of a fire department. He stargazing with a telescope in the back-
When he first moved to North Haven, Paul also mentions Chief Vincent Landisio and yard, or travelling to new and exciting
knew very little about the town. His big- Chief Struble. But his most important men- places with them I’m committed to mak-
gest intrigue was the fire department itself. tor and supporter would be his wife, Rebec- ing these years count!”
“Many people don’t realize that the fire de- ca, who he met shortly after he began work-
partment is one of the busiest in the State ing in North Haven. Paul Januszewski’s passion to work in the
of CT considering that at a time all of the public safety sector started off at a young
fire apparatus responded out of one fire sta- age and he has continued this work be-
tion… and that only 7 firefighters worked at coming a career firefighter and then Fire
a time. I enjoyed staying busy and wanted to Chief in North Haven. He is committed to
feel like I was actually making a difference protecting his fellow firefighters as well as
each and every time I worked a shift”. forging relationships with the communi-
ty and town organizations. “I’ve enjoyed
Since his time as a firefighter in North Hav- watching the transition of the town over
en, Paul has completed a BS, MPA, National the years”, Paul states, “and I’m happy to
Registry Paramedic, Executive Fire Officer play a small part in all of it.”
Certificate and is currently pursuing accred-
itation as a Chief Officer. When he was 35, Finally, during a time of uncertainty due
Paul became Fire Chief. He credits this po- to the current virus, Mr. Januszewski
sition as a way to challenge himself to apply I asked Paul what he would like the commu- would like to state, “I’m so appreciative
what he had learned so far in his career. “I nity to know about our firefighters which and proud of all our local first responders
never stop learning. In the fire service, so they might not know to which he remarked for their dedication during these unprece-
much changes year to year...If I wasn't read- on how tremendously the town has changed dented times.”
ing a book about emergency services, taking over the years, which has led to “an increase
6 North Haven Magazine - Special Edition 2020