Waterford Fire Official Resigns After 'Insensitive Comments'

WATERFORD, CT — Cohanzie Fire Co. #5 Chief Todd Branche has resigned after he allegedly made insensitive comments on social media.

Deputy Fire Chief John Mariano wrote in a Facebook post: "Effective immediately, based on an incident earlier today, Chief Todd Branche has resigned as Chief of the Cohanzie Fire Co. #5. The sentiments expressed by Mr Branche do not in any way reflects the values or views of the Cohanzie Fire Co. #5 and as such Mr. Branche no longer leads or represents the Cohanzie Fire Co. #5."

First Selectman Rob Brule wrote in a Facebook post: "...it was brought to my attention earlier today that a volunteer within fire services made an insensitive, inappropriate and divisive comment on his personal social media.

"At a time when each of us is doing all we can to listen and understand, divisiveness is counterproductive to the changes we need to make as a community and will not be tolerated in Waterford. As a result, I have accepted the resignation from the individual involved as Chief of Cohanzie."

Mariano said that the fire department operates based on the community's trust. "When a trust is egregiously violated through a member’s actions, we must quickly address these actions as we have today in immediately removing our Chief from his post."

He added: "There is no room to brush incidents aside, there is no margin for losing the trust of those we serve and as such we are working to move forward from this situation and restore your faith in us to be there for you when you need us, without doubt of our intentions or fear of malice."