William Seward III Sworn As Town's New Emergency Management Director

NORTH BRANFORD, CT —William Seward III was sworn-in as North Branford's new Emergency Management Director by Town Manager Michael Downes Oct. 21.

A North Branford resident, Seward, who retired as North Branford's Fire Chief in 2022 after serving with distinction for 17 years, was appointed by Downes and confirmed by the Town Council at its Oct. 15 meeting.

"Bill has an unmatched wealth of knowledge and experience, and we are fortunate to have him join us on our team as the Town's new Emergency Management Director," Downes noted in a news release. "With his background and knowledge of our town, he is ready to hit the ground running in this new capacity."

Seward has a 45-year career in emergency service, including 34 years in management, administration, training, and supervision of emergency service personnel, including service as a firefighter, paramedic, assistant drillmaster, lieutenant captain, director of training in the City of New Haven, and fire chief in the Town of North Branford.

"I am excited to rejoin the Town's administration as the new Emergency Management Director," Seward said. He explained that, previously the position was widely called the Civil Defense Director.

"Over the years this role has transitioned into an important management position working alongside local law enforcement, fire, EMS and non-governmental agency representatives. Since September 11, 2001, the responsibility of EMDs has expanded to include all hazards planning and response," Seward was quoted as saying. "The local EMD spearheads the operation and management of the town's emergency operations center while communicating and collaborating with the State of CT Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security."

The Emergency Management Director of the Town directs and coordinates the emergency management program for the Town, advises the CEO on all emergency management matters, and assumes responsibility for the operation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies. He develops disaster planning, disaster management, and disaster recovery plans. He assesses, plans, and implements best practice standards, and assures compliance with all local, state, federal guidelines and regulatory agencies, and is responsive 24-7, Downes said.

"Being the North Branford EMD and having the ability to work in a newly established EOC is most rewarding and allows me to expand a state-of-the-art command center. It is my intention to maintain effective communications with town staff as well as informing the public on topics of interest," Seward said. "As I have said for years in positions I held, you can fail to plan or plan to fail. Our community takes great pride in its ability to manage situations, I take pride in my ability to manage extraordinary situations that threaten life, property and the environment."