Southington Welcomes New Deputy Emergency Chief

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The town's emergency management office has appointed a longtime resident and veteran firefighter to become Southington's second-in-command in the emergency office.

The Southington Town Council last week welcomed new Southington Deputy Emergency Management Director Brian Antigiovanni, who was introduced by Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone.

He will work alongside Southington Emergency Management Director William Palmieri in planning for and organizing the town's response to future emergencies, be they natural or man-made disasters.

Palmieri said he's known Antigiovanni for years, and he is the perfect person for the role, which is a voluntary one.

"He's kind of been volunteering unofficially," Palmieri said, going over Antigiovanni's background. "So, he's been a big help. He's been an asset. So I decided to ask the manager if he could come down as a deputy, and he approved it, and I'm here to introduce Brian tonight."

Ricciardone said Antigiovanni's appointment is still voluntary, and he is not being paid.

Antigiovanni has lived in Southington for 18 years and has worked in the West Hartford Fire Department for 24 years, and is currently a captain.

He replaces now-retired Southington Fire Department Chief Eric Heath, who also served as the assistant emergency management director.

Heath recently took a job as deputy fire chief in the Town of Stratford.

Antigiovanni, who has a graduate degree in homeland security, has been a volunteer in Southington's emergency department and has assisted Palmieri.

Antigiovanni was present at the Dec. 8 council meeting to introduce himself.

He said he was a volunteer firefighter in Farmington for 11 years and was hired after college in West Hartford back in 2001, three weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Antigiovanni said he is approaching retirement from the WHFD and is looking to work in emergency management, with his new role a chance to get experience in that field.

"I look forward to working with everybody and all the townspeople helping out in the community. It's going to be a great experience," Antigiovanni said.

For the minutes of the Dec. 8 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.