Meriden introduces his first female fire chief – NBC Connecticut –

In April Meriden will swear in his 21st fire chief. Cristina Schoeck was appointed as a replacement for the current fire chief Ken Morgan, who has been with the department since 2013.

“About a year ago, she became a clear person who, in my opinion, would be perfect for the takeover of this department,” said Morgan. “She is a clever, committed person.

Schoeck entered the department in 2002 and has held a number of positions since then, including Lieutenant, training and security officers and their current title of the deputy boss.

“She is the most qualified person for this position,” said Merid Mayor Kevin Scarpati.

Schoeck was the first deputy female head of the city and will now be the first female fire chief.

“It was an unreal moment,” said Schoeck. “It was very exciting to actually let everything come together.

In her new role, she will be responsible for more than 100 firefighters. She says she wants to continue in the direction that the fire brigade enters and focus on diversity, technology as well as the health and security of the firefighters.

She says she was enthusiastic and an honor to be named as a boss and hopes to inspire young girls.

“I would like to be able to think more about the community we serve,” she said. “When young people generally see people in the community who look like them, then you see that I can” “”. “