Highly Decorated Wilton Deputy Fire Marshal Kevin Plank Promoted on Tuesday

Wilton, CT — The Wilton Fire Department held a promotion ceremony for Kevin Plank-Deputy Fire Marshal on July 5, 2016, according to Wilton Fire Department Fire Chief Ronald E. Kanterman.

Plank is a 40 year veteran of the fire service, starting his career in 1976 as a volunteer with the Independent Hose Company in Danbury. After 29 years of service as a career firefighter and lieutenant with the Danbury Fire Department, he came to Wilton in 2008 as a line firefighter.

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"At his tender age and with 32 years of service, he re-entered the Connecticut Fire Academy as a “recruit” and showed the entire class of young guys how it’s done. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he could," Chief Kanterman said.

Plank holds certifications as a FF I, FFI, FF III, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, HazMat Technician, EMT, Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention and Fire Instructor I. He is also a decorated firefighter and held honors from the City of Danbury as the Firefighter of the Year, Award for Bravery, Honorable Service Award, EMS Award and three Unit Citations.

He performed fire prevention and public fire safety education work and consulted on a children’s fire safety book, Chief Kanterman said. "Going to the Office of the Fire Marshal is surely not his first appearance in this arena."

Chief Ronald E. Kanterman continued:

"Kevin also has many other talents. He a master carpenter, auto mechanic and can basically fix anything that moves. He’s also a husband, father and grandfather. He also a philanthropic person. He has ties to the Leukemia Society, MDA, the Special Olympics, MADD, the P.A.L., Danbury Hospital and the Danbury Playground Construction Crew. Kevin just completed 5 grueling months of fire code training, fire and arson investigation training and hazardous materials code school. Having successfully completed this course of study, he has been deemed certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Today, he is officially appointed by the Wilton Fire Commission to the rank of Deputy Fire Marshal from DFM Trainee."

Town Clerk Lori Kaback administered the oath of office along with Plank’s wife Gale who pinned on his new shield. His daughter Kellie is a 17 year veteran of the Danbury Fire Department. His son-in-law Ken is a 10 year veteran of the Danbury Fire Department.

Father Reggie Norman, Our Lady of Fatima opened and closed the ceremony. Remarks were made by Fire Commission Chair Casey Healy, First Selectman Lynne Vanderslice and WFD Deputy Chief Mark Amatrudo. Chief Kanterman acted as emcee and host.

Congratulations to Kevin Plank-Deputy Fire Marshal.

Image via Wilton CT Firefighters' Facebook page