HARTFORD – Hartford now has its first Hispanic Fire Chief.
Mayor Eddie Perez on Friday appointed Edward Casares Jr. to replace retiring Fire Chief Charles A. Teale Sr, who was chief for nine years.
Perez said he based his decision on Teal’s recommendation. After nearly 30 years in the fire department, Teale retired Thursday.
Casares, 51, is a 28-year veteran of the department, like Teal is a “son of Hartford.” And he is the 36th chief of the Hartford Fire Department.
“He’s fair. He won’t make decisions based on someone’s skin color and he has the technical expertise,” Teale said. “He will steer the department in a positive direction.”
A tragedy 30 years ago prompted Casares to join the Hartford Fire Department. That event was the death of Julio Lozado, a 12-year-old boy who was trapped under a collapsed building. Neighbors had tried to tell the first responders at the scene what was happening but none of the firefighters at the time spoke Spanish. As a result, the Hartford Fire Department agreed to increase the number of Spanish-speaking firefighters.
Upon his appointment, Casares said he is humbled by the opportunity. “I never became a firefighter to be a pioneer or a hero,” he said. “I serve out of love and compassion for the people of this great City.”
