The Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons has approved the promotions of two longtime fire department veterans to the top leadership roles, officials announced Wednesday. Fire Captain Rommie Duckworth has been appointed as the next fire chief, while Fire Captain Tony Cerulli will take over as assistant chief. Both will be officially sworn in by the town clerk on June 6. Duckworth, a 27-year veteran of the Ridgefield Fire Department, began his career as a firefighter and rose through the ranks. He is recognized nationally for his contributions to firefighter education, EMS system design, and leadership development. Cerulli joined the department in 1999 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2014 and captain in 2018. He holds a degree in fire administration with a focus on human resources, budgeting, and incident command. The leadership change follows the retirements of Fire Chief Jerry Myers and Assistant Chief Mickey Grasso. Town officials thanked both men for their years of service and contributions to public safety in Ridgefield.
