I am pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Renshaw as UConn Fire Chief, effective immediately. Chief Renshaw has served as Interim Fire Chief since September 2024.
Chief Renshaw began his official career with the University of Connecticut Fire Department in 2005 and has since distinguished himself as an Executive Fire Officer, overseeing the administrative and operational functions of two fire stations servicing UConn Storrs and UConn Health. His leadership spans fire suppression, fire prevention, EMS, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and complex incident management.
With several decades of firefighting and emergency operations experience, Chief Renshaw oversees fire suppression, EMS, hazardous material response, special operations, and training for the Department. During his career, he was instrumental in establishing the Office of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Program throughout the University of Connecticut’s enterprise. Additionally, since 2000, Chief Renshaw has served as a wildland firefighter for the United States Forest Service, qualified as an Incident Commander Type 3, Task Force Leader, Structure Protection Specialist, and is also assigned to the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team as a Division Supervisor Trainee. In these roles, he has been deployed to numerous large incidents across North America on both state and federal teams.
Chief Renshaw serves as an ambassador for the National Heat Safety & Performance Coalition and the Korey Stringer Institute, focused on the prevention of heat-related injuries and fatalities in workers exposed to extreme heat. Additionally, Chief Renshaw represents all Tolland County fire departments on the Connecticut Rural Fire Council, identifying rural fire issues, trainings, and programs, and providing an active conduit from the area chiefs to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
A graduate of UConn, he holds both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and Engineering as well as numerous emergency medical, emergency management and fire certifications. Chief Renshaw has received multiple state and federal commendations for his actions, leadership, and initiatives.
Please join me in congratulating Chief Renshaw on his well-deserved appointment.
Gene Labonte
Associate Vice President, Chief of Police
