Wallingford Fire Chief Announces Retirement

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Fire Chief Richard Heidgerd is retiring after more than 30 years of service to the department and community.

Heidgerd announced Thursday that he will officially retire on Friday, April 9 after more than 33 years with the department.

Heidgerd, who was hired in August 1987, worked as a firefighter for nearly seven years before embarking on a journey that ultimately led to becoming Chief of the Wallingford Fire Department. On Aug. 1, 1994, Heidgerd was promoted from firefighter to lieutenant and served in that role for more than seven years.

“In March of 2002 he was promoted to Captain where he led a shift of firefighters and paramedics for over four years,” officials wrote in a news release. “In 2006 Chief Heidgerd began to lead our department as a chief officer. He was promoted to Deputy Chief on November 20, 2006, a position he held and served in for over seven years.

“On December 13, 2013 Chief Heidgerd was promoted to acting chief before being permanently chosen to lead the department as chief on July 2, 2014.”