Stratford Mayor Jim Miron on Tuesday introduced the town's new fire chief.

Jim Cavanaugh, who has been serving as the department's interim chief since January, previously served as the fire chief of Waterbury from 2003 to 2005. Cavanaugh says the Stratford Fire Department offers some new challenges, but they are ones he's ready to take on.

"When I saw this come open, I said I'm going to give it a shot and get back into the fire service," says Cavanaugh. "I just did it because of a love of the fire service. That's why I'm here."

Cavanaugh replaces former Chief John Cybart, who had left the department on indefinite sick leave and was granted a disability pension earlier this year.