Newly sworn in Fire Chief Scott Cunningham poses proudly with his son Alex who is a 911 Police and Fire Dispatcher and a volunteer firefighter with the Warehouse Point Fire Department in East Windsor, Connecticut.
On Sunday afternoon many gathered at the Mountain Road fire station in Suffield to celebrate the swearing in of Suffield’s new Fire Chief Scott Cunningham. The event opened with a welcome from SFD Captain Lew Cannon, followed by remarks by Fire Commission Chair Paul Christian and First Selectman Colin Moll. Town Clerk Kathy Dunai led Cunningham in the Oath of Office followed by the Pinning of the Chief’s badge by his girlfriend Laurie Kumnick and the First Salute by his son, Alex. Chief Cunningham then spoke to the crowd about the work ahead and his commitment to this important job. A reception followed catered by Maneeley’s Catering.
Chief Cunningham was born in New Brunswick, Canada. His family moved to East Hartford and then to Enfield where he continues to make his home today. He is the proud father of a son Alex who is a firefighter in East Windsor, and daughter Molly, who is headed for college to study elementary education.
His first connection to the fire service was when the Enfield firefighters would come to schools during Fire Prevention Week. When he turned 18, he realized his dream by being selected to be a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Enfield.
He has served over 36 years with various departments and some of his accomplishments include promotion to Lieutenant and then Captain with the Enfield Fire Department. He had a 23-year career with Hartford Fire Department where he was promoted four times, his highest rank being Captain, and when he was with Hartford Fire, he was assigned to some of the busiest companies.
Chief Cunningham has attained several professional designations with the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, the Connecticut Fire Academy, the Department of Public Safety and Public Health, FEMA and the National Fire Academy. He’s currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science at the University of New Haven.