After a lengthy search, an internal candidate has been chosen to helm the Wilton Fire Department.
James Blanchfield, a captain and 14-year veteran of the Wilton Fire Department, has been appointed to a four-year term as Fire Chief, according to an announcement by Fire Commission Chair Casey Healy and First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice.
Beginning July 1, Blanchfield will serve as the department’s Acting Deputy Fire Chief. He will assume the Fire Chief’s position on Nov. 1 when Interim Chief Geoffrey R. Herald is planning to leave.
“I look forward to working with Jim and am confident in his future success as Wilton's next Fire Chief,” said Vanderslice. “I'm particularly pleased that Jim's promotion creates additional promotional opportunities within the department.”
In his 14 years with Wilton, Blanchfield has held the ranks of captain, lieutenant and firefighter.