Ex-Wallingford Fire Chief’s Conduct Investigated By Town

WALLINGFORD, CT — The town is investigating allegations that former Wallingford Fire Chief Joseph Czentnar ordered a firefighter to take a CPR exam on his behalf.

The state Department of Public Health recently conducted an investigation into the allegations after the president of the Wallingford Firefighter’s Association President found merit to a claim that Czentnar ordered firefighter Andrew Badamo to take the American Heart Association exam in his place, according to the Record-Journal.

The Record-Journal reported Badamo told investigators he was ordered in April 2021 to complete the online portion of Czentnar’s CPR test and was later ordered to take the in-person skills course.

Badamo attended the in-person course while wearing a name tag that said “Hello, my name is Joe Czentnar,” according to the Record-Journal.

Czentnar abruptly retired this past April, and James Buck was hired last month as the town’s new fire chief.

Mayor Vincent Cervoni released the following statement Thursday regarding Czentnar:

“With the assistance of the town’s labor counsel, Fire Chief James Buck will conduct an inquiry into the allegations regarding the conduct of retired Fire Chief Joseph Czentnar, as it occurred in April of 2021, and as depicted in the recent investigation by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services.”

Read more at the Record-Journal here.