Representative Bill Heffernan III

William J. Heffernan III is a Democratic member of the Connecticut House of Representatives representing the 115th District, which includes West Haven. He was appointed to fill the seat on January 26, 2023, following a special election victory on January 23, 2024, and was re-elected in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Heffernan is a retired firefighter with 28 years of service with the West Haven Fire Department, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He was among the first responders at Ground Zero in New York City following the September 11, 2001 attacks. In January 2023, he was appointed Department Historian for the Fire Department.

Beyond his fire service career, Heffernan is an entrepreneur who owned and operated Alpha Carpet from 1990 to 2015 and was owner/partner of Johnny's Grille in West Haven from 2004 to 2019. He also serves as a consulting producer for the Netflix television series Tacoma FD.

Heffernan is deeply involved in civic life and currently serves in leadership roles with numerous organizations, including president of the Village Improvement Association, founder and president/historian of the West Haven Fire Department Historical Library, vice president of the West Haven Historical Society, and treasurer of the Friends of West Haven Library. He is a board member of the West Haven Community House.

Education

Heffernan graduated from West Haven High School in 1981 and earned an Associate of Science degree in Fire and Occupational Safety from the University of New Haven in 1999. He is also a proud member of Alpha Gamma Chi Fraternity at Southern Connecticut State University since 1981.

Political Experience and Achievements

As a state representative, Heffernan serves on the Commerce, Public Safety, and Veterans' committees. He was honored as West Haven Elks Firefighter of the Year in 1998 and received the Connecticut Secretary of State Public Service Award in 2004. Additionally, he received the Yale New Haven Health Center for EMS Unit Citation in 2020.

Heffernan is married to Anne and has two grown children, Anita and William, as well as two grandchildren.