Six weeks into his tenure as Hartford's fire chief, Reginald Freeman has started to personalize his office at the public safety complex on High Street.Among the plaques and framed pictures is a photograph on the shelf behind his desk. It's a snapshot of Freeman and retired Hartford firefighter Frank Zazzaro taken in Zazzaro's West Hartford home shortly after Freeman started work.
"He sent me a letter welcoming me to the job and I thought, if the man can take the time to write a letter, I can take the time to pay him a visit," Freeman said.
The letter from Zazzaro, who retired in 1980, was dated Feb. 2, the day after Freeman began work in Hartford and the same day a story about him appeared in The Courant.
Zazzaro said that coming from three generations of Hartford firefighters he felt qualified to express his opinion and that he particularly enjoyed the article's references to a "strong hand, discipline and structure." "I'm so glad to hear your intentions and want to wish you all the best in your future. … [Y]ou are and will be a great chief."
Zazzaro's wishes for a successful stewardship of the department are typical of the goodwill Freeman has going for him early on as Hartford's 37th fire chief, including acting chiefs.
That's because he arrives at a time when the department is at its lowest point in years, having taken hits on several fronts.