The Career Of New London Fire Chief Ron Samul

Monday will mark the anniversary of exactly 38 years of full-time service on the New London Fire Department for Chief Ron Samul. It will also be his last day with the department.

Samul’s retirement will become official as he passes the chief’s title to Deputy Chief Henry Kydd, a 34-year veteran of the department. Kydd will be sworn in at 3 p.m. on Monday at the NLFD Headquarters.

Samul, a Vietnam War veteran, joined the department in 1975 after several years of volunteer and substitute service. He was named chief in 1985.

At an Elks ceremony earlier this month, Samul was recognized as one of the longest serving fire chiefs in the Northeast. Kydd said Samul has worked with fire departments in surrounding communities to promote cooperative and regionalization efforts and was a founding member in several fire organizations, including the New London County Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Samul has also held a dual role of interim city manager for 259 days of the past 38 years.

Here’s a look back at some of the major points in the earlier part of Samul’s career:

• 1965: As a teenager, begins volunteering for the New London Fire Department because his brother—Edward Samul—and a friend are on the department
• Jan. 1, 1970: Begins serving as a substitute firefighter
• April 1, 1975: Joins the department as a full-time firefighter
• Nov. 3, 1980: Promoted to fire inspector
• March 3, 1981: Promoted to fire marshal
• 1982: Investigates a spate of fires. A Franklin Street arson destroys four buildings, killing two and leaving 47 homeless. Other fires include one on Bank Street that heavily damages three businesses and displaces 34 and another arson on Shaw Street that leaves six homeless.
• Nov. 20, 1984: At the age of 37, becomes the youngest deputy fire chief in the city
• Aug. 31, 1985: Oversees the department’s response to a massive fire at New London Mills on Pequot Ave.
• Sept. 18, 1985: named acting fire chief
• Dec. 6, 1985: Is named fire chief with an annual salary of $37,143. Officially sworn in as chief two weeks later

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