Crime & Safety

Greenwich FD Hires New Recruit And Says Good-Bye To A Veteran


Friday was a day of coming and going for the Greenwich Fire Department.

Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei, who's the town's Fire Commissioner, swore in recruit Jason Jeracka in an early afternoon ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall, all the while bidding a farewell to Fire Marshal James McDonald, who retired Feb. 28 after 27 years of service.

Jeracka is a career firefighter who has spent the last 4 1/2 years with the West Shore Fire District of the West Haven Fire Department. He's a 2008 graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, NY, and served five years as a commissioned lieutenant and military intelligence officer with the Army National Guard 42nd Infantry Division. He was discharged as a captain. He's a 2004 graduate of Cheshire High School.

The appointment of Jeracka comes as the result of the retirement on Friday of McDonald, who served as a deputy fire marshal for four years until his appointment as fire marshal in August 2012. 

A private man, McDonald declined a request for an interview. According to Assistant Fire Chief Robert Kick, the fire department administrative personnel hosted a luncheon for him on Thursday and will be presented with a plaque at the Greenwich Firefighters Local 1042 at their annual retirement dinner later this year.

"He's looking forward to a quiet retirement," Kick said.

With the hiring of Jeracka, the department is at its full complement of 107 personnel, according to Kick. And with McDonald's retirement, there will be a promotion within the fire marshal's division.


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