Firefighting all in the family

WINSTED —  Robert Asselin was named the new chief for the Winsted Fire Department by the Board of Selectmen at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 17.

Asselin will take over from current Chief Robert J. Shopey II on Tuesday, Sept. 1, when his term ends.

Shopey served as the department’s chief for 10 years but declined to serve another term.

In an interview with The Winsted Journal on Thursday, Aug. 20, during the department’s annual carnival, Asselin said he is looking forward to serving as the department’s chief.

“I serve with a bunch of guys and gals,” Asselin said. “You couldn’t ask for a nicer group of people to work with.”

Asselin said he has been a firefighter with the department for 25 years.

His father, Lionel Asselin, served in the department for 24 years and his brothers, Lionel Asselin Jr. and Shawn Asselin, have all served in the department.

“My brother Shawn joined me in firefighters’ school,” Asselin said. “When I was in firefighters’ school I got in a bad car accident up in Canaan. I had to get extricated from the vehicle I was in. That was an eye-opening experience for me. After that, it drove the nail in the coffin about me wanting to volunteer and help out people in the community. I get a lot of enjoyment out of helping people.”

Asselin, an Oak Street resident,  said he has lived in Winsted “all of my life.” 

“I just love Winsted,” he said. “I’ll probably live here for the rest of my life, too.”

Asselin said he is a self-employed electrical contractor.

“I can’t reveal my goals and plans as the chief because they are all not squared away yet,” Asselin said. “As for our department’s needs, we have a couple of pieces of apparatus that are getting outdated. Our firehouse down on Elm Street needs exterior work because it’s starting to deteriorate. So there are various things that need to be addressed in the next few years.”

Asselin added he is ready to serve as the department’s chief.

“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “I’m ready to get started.”