Family Tradition Continues

WILDWOOD – Ernie Troiano III was appointed fire chief by the Wildwood Board of Commissioners April 22. Troiano was serving in an interim role, replacing Daniel Spiegel, who retired at the end of the year to take a full-time job in North Wildwood’s borough hall.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Troiano, a third-generation firefighter. His grandfather, Ernie Troiano I, served as Wildwood’s fire chief in the ’80s. His father, Ernie Troiano II, the city’s former mayor, serves as a battalion chief in the volunteers. It’s in the Troiano blood.
Troiano III has been a Wildwood firefighter for 18 years. Steve Mikulski, the commissioner in charge of public safety, called him a “true leader” and “an ambassador for the city of Wildwood.”
“My role evolving now allows me to be a face and an ambassador for this department. It’s an honor because I really believe whole-heartedly in this department,” said Troiano III.
Troiano was tested in his early days in charge, with a presidential visit in January, a three-day music festival to plan for, the inaugural air show, and the coronavirus pandemic.
“He didn’t miss a beat,” said Mikulski. “He’s humble, he stands his ground, he listens to what other people have to say.”
Daniel Dunn, the city’s emergency management coordinator and a longtime firefighter, was appointed deputy chief.
Troiano’s father ran unsuccessfully for reelection as the city’s mayor, in November, and was replaced by the current administration of Mikulski, Krista Fitzsimons and Mayor Peter Byron.
Troiano III said that he didn’t worry about politics interfering with getting the title, but it felt good when he was recognized as the best man for the job.
Mikulski said politics was “never a question.”
“Our relationship with commissioner Mikulski has been very good. He’s been eager to learn the inner workings of the department. He’s been supportive,” Troiano said.
To contact Shay Roddy, email sroddy@cmcherald.com.