Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr confirmed late this morning that Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Seccuro has resigned from his position. The resignation, she said, was effective immediately.

 

Kerr did not have details on the resignation. Seccuro could not immediately be reached for comment. City Manager Kim Haws did weigh in on the situation.

 

“(Seccuro) just cited personal reasons,” said Haws. “We’re going to miss him because he brought a level of professionalism to the department that was appreciated and had managed during his time here to look at the capital needs of the department and work toward meet those needs.          

 

Seccuro’s tenure was a short one with Bridgeport. He began his duties as chief in May of 2014.

 

He arrived in Bridgeport after retiring as District Fire Chief/Paramedic from Brevard County Fire and Rescue in Florida. He left the Sunshine State for the Mountain State after serving for roughly a quarter of a century as a paid and volunteer fire service official.

 

Now, the status of the future leadership of the department is unknown. What step the city takes – from doing a national search, to a smaller search to even perhaps hiring in house – is unknown.

 

“We’re not sure how we’re going to proceed on such a sudden thing. It was a surprise to us that he tendered a resignation. I’m going to have to sit down and see what’s in the best interest long term for the fire department,” said Haws.

 

When asked if the city would announce an interim chief, Haws said that’s a possibility.

 

“There will need to be someone to be placed in charge for continuity’s sake. How we proceed from there, I’m being perfectly honest to say at this point and this early in the stage that I don’t have an idea,” said Haws.

 

Haws did say that residents shouldn’t be worried about their service. He said the group that make up the fire department are more than capable of continuing their high level service to Bridgeport and the first-response area.

 

“The department is very professional and dedicated to the city,” said Haws. “The city will do everything in its power to continue to support that department so they can continue their excellent service.”

 

Seccuro was a highly trained and veteran fire professional. He graduated from Titusville High School in Florida and Brevard Community College with studies in Fire Science Studies. Seccuro has a Bachelor’s of Science in Fire Science Management American Public University and a Master of Arts Emergency and Disaster Management from American Public University.

   

Seccuro replaced long-time Chief Chuck Feathers, who retired in 2014.