City of New Haven, CT
12/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/08/2025 10:18
NEW HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT MOURNS THE LOSS OF FIREFIGHTER CHRISTOPHER “CHRIS” BRAINARD
[NEW HAVEN, CT] - The New Haven Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of Firefighter Christopher Brainard on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, following a battle with cancer.
Firefighter Brainard (pronounced "Bray-NARD"), affectionately known as Chris, was appointed to the New Haven Fire Department on July 24, 2015. He proudly served as the Driver of Truck Company 2 based in the Hill section of the city-an assignment he embraced and performed with distinction over his ten years of service at the department.
"The passing of Firefighter Brainard is a heartbreaking and tragic loss for the City of New Haven and the New Haven Fire Department - especially for his fellow firefighters at the Hill Station and the Brainard family. At 36 years old, Firefighter Brainard left us far too soon, but his legacy of service will continue in the hearts and minds of his fellow firefighters and our residents," said Mayor Justin Elicker. "On behalf of a grateful city, I want to thank Firefighter Brainard for his decade of dedicated service and extend our deepest condolences to his wife, children and family."
"Firefighter Brainard was an honor to serve with. He wasn't just a good firefighter-he was an exceptional human being. He was the kind of person who would help anyone, anytime without hesitation," said Fire Chief John Alston. "On behalf of the New Haven Fire Department-his coworkers and his friends-we extend our most heartfelt condolences to Firefighter Brainard's wife and children. We stand ready to support them through this extraordinary time of grief and loss."
Firefighter Brainard was 36 years old and is survived by his wife and two children.
The Firemen's Benevolent Association of New Haven is collecting donations to support the Brainard family during this time of loss. Donations can be made at fbanewhaven.org - noting Firefighter Brainard is the comment section - and 100 percent of all donations go directly to the Brainard family.
In recognition of Firefighter Brainard's passing, Chief Alston has ordered all department flags lowered to half-staff for the next 30 days. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Press Contacts
- Lenny Speiller |203-725-4249 ; [email protected]
- Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin | 203-444-4132 ; [email protected]
City of New Haven, CT published this content on December 08, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 08, 2025 at 16:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]