Middletown Fire Department Welcomes New Chief

MIDDLETOWN, RI — The Middletown Fire Department has hired a new permanent fire chief following a unanimous vote by the Town Council Monday evening.

James Peplau will begin his duties in the next few weeks and is taking over for Interim Chief Kevin Partridge, who served in the position for several weeks after Interim Chief Robert McCall returned to his pre-pandemic position as battalion chief.

“Middletown Fire is a proud department, always has been,” said Town Administrator Shawn Brown. “If you look back at our chiefs, each one has brought something different to the table and has always moved Middletown Fire in the right direction, leading an extremely talented group of firefighters to serve our community.”

Peplau has extensive experience in fire services, with over 25 years at the Waterbury Fire Department in Connecticut. He has served as battalion chief in Waterbury since 2011.

“Chief Peplau certainly checked all the boxes for us,” said Brown. “He’s a proven leader who has thrived in a much larger department who wants to make a mark here in Middletown and on behalf of the Town, I want to welcome him aboard.”

According to his online profile and resumé, Peplau has secured nearly $19 million in grant funding for fire service and safety projects and has training in fire prevention, energy steering, inspection, hazardous materials, and paramedics and rescue. He was also named the 2017 Waterbury Firefighter of the Year.

Peplau comes to the Middletown Fire Department following the hiring of eight new firefighters using federal funding aimed at improving fire service. The department also has a new building, upgraded equipment, and a veteran leadership group.