Drew Loya has been in the fire and emergency medical services field for over 42 years and has been with the Ridgefield Fire Department (RFD) for over 25 years.

 

Drew was born and raised in the neighboring town of Bethel. Since high school, he has held a variety of jobs in Ridgefield, including working with various construction contractors and in the Art Department at the Ridgefield Press. It was when he was working for Ridgefield Signs, that Drew was first introduced to the Ridgefield Fire Department (RFD) by his boss who was a member Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD). At the time, Drew was a volunteer in Newtown, which sparked his interest in the RVFD. Although he never formally joined the department, he helped with their fire prevention program. This involvement led to an invitation from the Chief at the time to assist with the program at the New York State Fire Academy.

 

Eventually, Drew became a paramedic and worked for the company that was supplying the Fire Department with contract paramedics. That was 27 years ago. Today he is the Fire Marshal for the Town of Ridgefield. 

 

Drew graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. He now lives with his wife Rose and Bernese Mountain Dog Hank in Roxbury, where they raised their four children.