Broad Brook Welcomes New Fire Chief to Volunteer Department

This article was posted by Megan Bard. It was reported and written by Ted Glanzer.

Thomas Arcari has held virtually every position possible at the Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Department.

Indeed, the 50-year-old East Windsor resident - who has been a member of the department since 1978 - has been a firefighter, a deputy chief, a captain and a chief engineer.

Now Arcari is department’s new chief, having taken over for David Lockwood, who was chief for five years, in early March.

Lockwood stepped down to spend more time with his family, Arcari said.

“I’m excited to be the new chief,” Arcari said.

There could be some changes to the department, which counts 38 volunteers on its rolls. Because the department is having a tough time getting people to respond to all of the calls immediately, Arcari is looking to hire two part-time paid firefighters, both of whom would work 40-hour weeks without benefits.

Arcari said that he has had several discussions with members of the Board of Finance and town officials about the two positions, which would still be classified as part-time, despite the hours.

“It would be a big step for us,” Arcari said.

The two firefighters are currently in the new proposed budget, according to First Selectman Denise Menard.

Arcari, a heavy equipment operator by trade, also hopes within the next several years to upgrade the department’s aging vehicle fleet. He said that he is looking forward to the challenge.

“Hopefully I can do some good,” Arcari said.

Menard, for her part, said that Arcari was a good choice to head up the volunteer department.

“He’s a good guy,” she said in an interview last week.