New Fire Chief Named after Teale's Retirement

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez has named Fire Marshal Edward Casares the city's new fire chief, effective with the retirement of Chief Charles Teale next April. Casares will be the city's first Latino chief.
   Casares joined the force after an outreach effort by the department thirty years ago, seeking more Spanish-speaking firefighters following the death of 12-year-old Julio Lozado. The first firefighters who arrived at the scene were unable to understand neighbors who tried to tell them that the boy was trapped under a collapsed building.
   Casares congratulated Chief Teale, and thanked Teale for believing in him.
    Perez said he's pleased to promote someone who has risen through the ranks.