Acting Fire Chief Appointed In Hamden, Naples Officially Retires

HAMDEN, CT — Assistant Fire Chief Shelly L. Carter has been appointed Acting Fire Chief following Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples’ retirement, Mayor Lauren Garrett announced Friday.

Naples retired, effective at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28, after serving the Hamden Fire Department for nearly 20 years, beginning as a firefighter and working his way up to lead the Hamden Fire Department.

Carter’s appointment was effective at 3:31 p.m. on Friday, according to Garrett.

Carter will serve as the Acting Fire Chief until her appointment is approved by the Legislative Council, according to Garrett.

“Over the years, I have had the honor of working alongside and leading an exceptional team of dedicated firefighters and officers who serve this community with unwavering commitment and courage,” Naples said in a news release. “Together it has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Hamden, and I am proud of what we have achieved, especially over these last three years. I am assured that the Hamden Fire Department will continue to grow, adapt, and serve the community with the same excellence and professionalism that has defined our work over the years.

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mayor Garrett, her staff, and Hamden's Legislative Council for their continued support and leadership during my tenure. The partnership has been invaluable in helping us achieve the success we have enjoyed. I also appreciate the trust placed in me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to public safety.”

Read more from the news release below:

Garrett said, “On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples for his decades of dedicated service and commitment to the Town of Hamden and the Hamden Fire Department. Chief Naples has left a tremendous mark on Hamden’s Fire Department and has guided them through challenging times. Chief Naples’ retirement is well-deserved, and we wish him the best as he begins a new chapter.”

Commenting on the appointment of Assistant Fire Chief Shelly L. Carter to the position of Acting Fire Chief, Garrett said, “I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Assistant Fire Chief Shelly L. Carter as Hamden’s Acting Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management, effective 3:31pm today. Acting Fire Chief Carter will be Hamden’s first Black female Fire Chief. I have had the opportunity to work closely with Acting Fire Chief Carter and I am confident in her leadership and deep knowledge of the fire service to build upon the transformational changes begun under Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples.”

Acting Fire Chief Carter joined the Hamden Fire Department in January 2024 after serving the Hartford Fire Department for over 20 years as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Certified Fire Marshal, Captain, Executive Officer, Public Information Officer, and Acting Deputy Chief.

Following Acting Fire Chief Carter’s retirement from the Hartford Fire Department, she became the Operations and Training Manager for CT’s DESPP within DEMHS. In December 2022, she served as the Institutional Fire Chief for CT’s DDS’ Southbury Training School, becoming first Black female Fire Chief of a Department in all the New England States.

Acting Fire Chief Carter has a proven track record creating opportunities and developing future leaders in the fire service and encompassing and embracing diversity and inclusion in emergency services intentionally and strategically. She has a wealth of experience designing and implementing comprehensive fire safety programs and classroom and training exercises, with a demonstrable track record of improved performance of the firefighters and officers in her command and an unwavering commitment to safety.

Acting Fire Chief Shelly L. Carter will serve as the Acting Fire Chief until her appointment is approved by the Legislative Council.

See also:

• Hamden Fire Chief Retiring, Will Take New Role In North Haven
• Hamden’s Carter Gets Mother’s Day Surprise On ‘Good Morning America’