Greenwich Fire Dept Promotes Five Members in Downtown Ceremony

The Greenwich Fire Department on Thursday swore in five newly promoted members:

• Ryan Brainerd to Deputy Chief
• Steve Heaney to Deputy Chief of Training
• Kyle Matthews to Lieutenent
• Frank O’Connor to Lieutenant
• Greg Brown to Deputy Fire Marshal

Assistant Fire Chief Charlie Lubowicki welcomed the crowd of friends and family, and after the honor guard presented the colors, pledge of allegiance and moment of silence, the promotion ceremony began, with First Selectman Fred Camillo, who also serves the ceremonial role of Fire Commissioner, read each of the five men the oath and spouses pinned badges indicating their new ranks.

Lubowicki said in their new leadership roles in the fire service required them to sometimes “be the boss instead of the buddy.”

“Other employees will now rely on your keen decision making, your safety ability for their safety, and their safety in turn for their loved ones  after every shift,” he added. “I have full confidence in all of you being promoted today and know that you also have the respect of your peers as well.”

Ryan Brainerd was promoted to deputy chief  who will command Group 1. He is a 27-year veteran of GFD and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2009, and has served in Cos Cob and at the Central station before being promoted to Deputy Chief of Training in 2024.

During his career he has received two unit citations a chief’s commendation and an excellence award from Greenwich EMS.

Lubowicki recalled that Brainerd was acting shift commander on “one of the most harrowing nights in the department’s history” when Engine 1 was struck on I-95, rising to the occasion as a leader.

Steve Heaney, an 18 year veteran of Greenwich Fire Dept, was promoted to Deputy Chief of Training. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2021 where he was assigned to Engine 4 in Glenville. Previously, in his many years as a firefighter, he was assigned to both Central and Cos Cob. Prior to joining the Greenwich Fire Dept, he was a firefighter/EMT for the Farmington Fire Dept.

Heaney has also and has served as acting deputy shift commander and has shown his ability commanding fire teams as well as other fire responses.

He has a degree in business administration and a masters degree in Fire Administration from University of New Haven. Heaney has also helped his department navigate and support the IT department over last few years.

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Kyle Matthews was hired by the Greenwich Fire Dept in 2019, and promoted to lieutenant on Thursday. In his career he has worked on Squad 1 at the Central Fire Station and has taken active roles in the department on the rescue committee, as well in the union as a member of the honor guard and union secretary. He has a degree from Fairfield University in Finance.

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Frank O’Connor was also promoted to Lieutenant. He was hired in 2018 and has a masters degree in Criminal Justice.

O’Connor has taken on many responsibilities at the Fire Dept including serving as an interim member of the health and safety committee, honor guard and also serving as an executive board member of Local 1042.

Lubowicki said Lt O’Connor was known for his calm demeanor and innate problem solving abilities, and mechanical aptitude.

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Greg Brown, a Greenwich native, was promoted to Deputy Fire Marshal. He was hired in 2019 but had spent 10 years previously as a Greenwich Firefighter. He has a construction and business management degree from University of New Hampshire and holds many fire department certifications.

“Deputy Fire Marshal Brown is a huge asset to the Greenwich Fire Dept and currently is our public education coordinator, who has worked hard to ensure quality presentations to the Greenwich  School system as well as expanding our program to ensure safety education for all,” Lubowicki said.