[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6652433,"mediaKeyId","2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4","parentId",2490573,"title","Vendor and municipal groups back school-mapping grant but urge state standards and local data ownership","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",12850000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4&start=12850&end=12850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4/thumbnail_12850000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652433/Connecticut/Vendor-and-municipal-groups-back-school-mapping-grant-but-urge-state-standards-and-local-data-ownership","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652433-b7464fa894771350f1a4f98bb2e02e01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843163&Signature=VOXz9Ktzdm4~sEjjKjsPpLQHIznsv3y5cW6ZX2EFabppCthOjJTO-CfndXI4LFuG5BWxKP3AyIFWwd8OMgH35ehM6tc1jQmkYPUUEmsab28~bB7dC46AIo8WOXewWk-0NFI4lH6B4EWyq8sJnc-gMV7z12PfACxuP-FqvcwE418~XPAaciZv2BlJz4bqruvgA3k9-SKayvRyxIDZzQx7ipXiEXbcHR3aso-BHyE8~qdUL4gNrPj1WIx6PpGViJRxEvIs6toYrcMbgfacopvSLUhf~w0gn~HikoPjmFzdh1saxh2~Numm7uintdho-y-Vl22nb4tlIlnhlqNQxCPeqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut State Legislature - Public Safety and Security","date","2025-03-04T20:56:53.953Z","article","A school-mapping data grant program (SB 13 82) drew support from mapping vendors and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities on March 4, but both urged changes to ensure interoperability, local control and cost effectiveness.

Kevin O’Connell of GEOCOM told the committee that geographic information systems (GIS) can speed emergency response in schools by giving first responders accurate interior and exterior maps, parking and door-numbering conventions and standardized location references. GEOCOM recommended that the state GIS office within the Office of Policy and Management help write mapping standards and that the bill avoid requiring an outside vendor to validate data after the first map iteration.

“Facilities and safety personnel are the local experts of the data and should be empowered to validate the data themselves,” O’Connell testified, warning that a mandatory third‑party validation requirement “can artificially increase the cost of producing these maps.” He also urged that schools retain ownership of mapping data so districts can switch vendors or reuse maps without lock‑in.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities endorsed a school-mapping grant program and said local governments support interoperable standards and state assistance. CCM and vendors recommended that the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications, the state GIS office, the Department of Education and local emergency responders be included in standards development.

The committee asked for technical revisions to ensure interoperability with public‑safety dispatch systems and for drafting changes so local facilities, not a single contractor, can play a primary role in data validation. Lawmakers pressed for clarity on grant terms and data ownership before advancing the bill.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety and Security Committee Public Hearing 3/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","A bill to create a school-mapping data grant program won support from GEO-COM and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which recommended using the state GIS office to set mapping standards, preserving school ownership of map data and avoiding mandatory third‑party validation that could increase costs and reduce interoperability.","taxTitle","Public Safety and Security, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Connecticut","taxId",15706,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652437,"Police chiefs ask lawmakers to allow seizure of cars used in 'street takeovers' after violent incidents",184,8797000,8981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4&start=8797&end=8981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4/thumbnail_8797000.jpg","/articles/6652437/Connecticut/Police-chiefs-ask-lawmakers-to-allow-seizure-of-cars-used-in-street-takeovers-after-violent-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652437-be9bf7aacd7885dbf6300cc671564461/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843163&Signature=OIkftzinRPbrwv~vY5WN~u3jB1zTvbiSxyRFft9sUDUrnFVlrZ7tXX0YuUyViAlbFN61T7CyJlqH0dDiEb3JIIGBNfAo7J4e3y-JeXTMuRK7fLhwVxrjOjb3mayHV5hwrisP~ql03Er-JVqtfYnNYwF3aetIfcG5dBEkRsjnTrVLnCEjgEXVTGJA-81aQNtlxeoBN-3lJSfQ-RsA2eo6yIacan4auChL7YCWc5-URHmnBu2gy8wulGrff0MNvrvgGCrjUuF7gpIZt3L4UhhtBlGRc0SuD~c2DzIe9qGW-QFRzxoiVc1HK75fYrGMc3SuMPYOUQEURxajIBG~viEWcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association urged the Public Safety and Security Committee to pass a bill that would let municipalities seize vehicles used in street takeovers, a tactic chiefs say helps deter and limit dangerous events involving hundreds of cars.

Chief Carl Jacobson, representing the association, told the committee that takeovers “can happen in any town, any time of the day or night” and are often violent and chaotic: attendees set fires, throw fireworks at officers, jump on police cars and resist disbanding. He said local police have recovered guns and identified four shootings in New Haven connected to takeovers.

Chief Jacobson and other witnesses described enforcement challenges: participants come from multiple states, cars are altered for racing or carry multiple license plates, and events can outnumber available officers. He said municipal seizure authority for ATVs and dirt bikes in past sessions has proved effective and that adding parallel authority for motor vehicles would give law enforcement an important deterrent.

Representatives from municipal government organizations supported the bill while asking for technical adjustments; lawmakers suggested aligning any municipal seizure process with due‑process protections and a hearing mechanism so owners can seek return of property if they were not involved in criminal activity.

Chief Jacobson said task forces that pool municipal, state police and federal resources have had success identifying organizers and reducing events. He urged the committee to provide “some teeth” to municipal enforcement tools.

No formal action was taken. Committee members signaled willingness to pursue the tool if language preserves due‑process safeguards and administrative hearing procedures.","Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and local chiefs supported legislation to allow municipalities to seize vehicles used in street takeovers, citing shootings, arson and cross-jurisdictional enforcement challenges; chiefs said seizure authority and task forces have reduced illegal events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652441,"Civil Air Patrol asks lawmakers to exempt cadet encampments from youth-camp licensing",6008,1461000,7469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4&start=1461&end=7469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4/thumbnail_1461000.jpg","/articles/6652441/Connecticut/Civil-Air-Patrol-asks-lawmakers-to-exempt-cadet-encampments-from-youth-camp-licensing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652441-401568b76d778cb31ec7bc75938b750a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843163&Signature=d-CleJlDzVxeNWSG4BqrajC6PX0YuXIUFhJ6xxYOabHidD7Rr-SSfY0vY6g6gFXv0DvLgxBCOdWenI5T0~HJLoObGxtDSuIixd5JBvmoW-6wZ8SG7hhRQ0aiHC0p8LFAsun7vEwmIK3zZrwjUsVsyhEt2IQFeImXwHhlfFHVXpL193KaTehSgSHhHzU~uf5tGpmwTNVoNkDrCbMrI-EOt3GRJR364NSlf~Y9emmOVfSs2lBN1ghjWgHMCTIgoRVFSS3H2nqwlICFWXBBWROlC2T17p~NbuUFrPrVhNkO0SZdsieVOmjgTJfH6xPmAVUoo8rvaos3cQ2RpfWB3K2eaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connecticut Wing of the Civil Air Patrol asked the Public Safety and Security Committee to exempt its cadet encampments from the state's youth-camp licensing requirements, saying federal oversight, recurring background checks and the volunteer organization's established safety protocols make the state license unnecessary for CAP camps.

Lt. Col. Ashley LaPlante, Connecticut Wing commander, said CAP encampments provide weeklong leadership and aerospace training for cadets and that the organization complies with rigorous national safeguards: adult members undergo routine background checks and the wing follows U.S. Air Force auxiliary regulations. “Our national regulations require routine background checks, not only to join our organization, but they are ran in the background every 5 years by the FBI,” LaPlante told the committee.

Sen. Kathy Austin, testifying in support, said Civil Air Patrol camps have run in Connecticut for decades, are congressionally chartered and support emergency response work. She and others said the local encampment has historically helped attract young people to aviation and public-service careers and at times has supported disaster-response missions.

CAP witnesses said the requirement that a licensed camp provide an on‑call physician and certain building-based facility requirements creates a cost and logistical burden because CAP does not own many sites and often uses state facilities such as CampNet. Lt. Col. Neil Talbot, Northeast region operations director, told the committee that after licensing timing issues the Connecticut Wing canceled its 2024 encampment at CampNet and moved its 2025 event to Fort Devens in Massachusetts.

Committee members said they support youth safety but are mindful that the children's‑services committee is simultaneously reviewing who should be licensed. Several legislators asked for written comparisons between CAP’s national requirements and the state licensing standards, and some requested that CAP provide documentation of its background-check and medical‑response procedures so lawmakers can evaluate any requested exemption.

No vote was taken. Committee members asked CAP and the children's committee to coordinate so lawmakers can weigh licensing standards and comparable safety controls.","The Connecticut Wing of Civil Air Patrol and U.S. Air Force representatives urged lawmakers to exempt CAP encampments (annual week-long cadet camps) from state youth-camp licensing, saying federal charter, background checks and operational norms address safety; proponents said 2024 encampment at CampNet was canceled and moved out of state.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652445,"Firefighters press legislature for screening pilot, PFAS-free gear and reimbursements after cancer diagnoses",902,2560000,3462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4&start=2560&end=3462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4/thumbnail_2560000.jpg","/articles/6652445/Connecticut/Firefighters-press-legislature-for-screening-pilot-PFAS-free-gear-and-reimbursements-after-cancer-diagnoses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652445-19a97c2145ea76dec4f4edc3d7b32aaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843163&Signature=H-aA3JqqjBJPCuBExK5oWjdEZ4QHIIQ0Pry2WPwMj6e~LNQyIcgCVpSCMShtn35L5w8nZPVgA6wBp927otqnM6R1rBD3rvZqQGfbI9yztsP7x7TspltQUJJMh3n2G3XjL9PlHsWe8FHFtgdWbrN1DmVHblcy9GrJbM0kUy1vmqodCf1mmDxl4BBc1a0eQW40hq~VhIg9fFWTRRfT9Up7xXbR8XbJ1hgSaa0i0X~jnoQUTFiB3RMcLz773zYI6VMvYwK~OF01lRT3roaYjzUqdEypiSTfofamqwS8RAak1Y6i2~kwX0tdkDeoYxqDo2on9guATlWpecboxu1P6MnxAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A firefighter who recently survived kidney cancer and a coalition representing fire departments testified March 4 that Connecticut should adopt a pilot cancer-screening program, increase access to PFAS‑free turnout gear and reimburse departments that already removed PFAS foam from apparatus.

The hearing focused on House Bill 7,120, which would: require municipalities to provide PFAS‑free turnout gear to qualifying firefighters, create a cancer-screening pilot program, and fund removal of PFAS firefighting foam from apparatus. Proponents described human and financial costs of late cancer diagnoses and urged early screening and equipment changes.

Wallingford firefighter David Pirelli, who described his diagnosis and treatment to the committee, said he had no symptoms before an October 2023 checkup led to surgery. He testified: “By September of that year, I had half of my right kidney removed along with a 2 inch tumor and it was classified as stage 3 renal cell carcinoma.” He described months of follow-up treatment and large medical costs: “I have about a half million dollars worth of IV drugs in my body right now.” Pirelli said his department procured 1 PFAS‑free set for him as a demo but that his backup set still contained PFAS; he argued that “2 sets of PFAS free turnout gear needs to be available for every member of the fire service.”

Fire-service groups supported the bill but identified practical problems. The Joint Council of Connecticut Fire Service Organizations, speaking through Chief Michael Thurs and others, said manufacturers have introduced PFAS‑free outer shells but the moisture barrier — the layer closest to the skin — remains a concern and has exhibited seam failures in early versions. The council called the proposed mandate an “enormous unfunded mandate” if implemented immediately and urged clearer definitions and realistic timelines. Chief Thurs asked that the state fire administrator, not the Joint Council, retain statutory lead responsibility for model-plan development.

The Connecticut Fire Mechanics Association and the Joint Council urged the legislature to reimburse departments that removed PFAS foam from apparatus before the previous reimbursement deadline; several departments reported multi‑thousand‑dollar cleanup costs. Chief Jay Kelly said his city had spent about $21,000 to remove foam; West Hartford reported $16,000 and other municipalities similar amounts. The joint council asked the legislature to reimburse departments that acted early.

Lawmakers asked for more precise drafting. Some committee members proposed a phased approach that focuses first on replacing inner moisture barriers for firefighters who already have elevated cancer risk or documented diagnoses, rather than immediately requiring two full PFAS‑free sets for every firefighter. Representatives and senators also pressed for a clear definition of “PFAS‑free” that matches available products and for a realistic implementation date; several witnesses said the October 1 effective date in the draft might be infeasible.

Supporters also recommended a pilot cancer-screening program tailored to firefighters’ risk profile. Physician and volunteer firefighter Jeffrey Bond presented screening proposals that begin certain tests earlier than general-population guidelines (for example, earlier colonoscopy screening) and described data from a private screening provider that found elevated-risk findings in roughly 16 percent of screened firefighters at Connecticut screening centers.

No formal action was taken; committee members asked stakeholders to narrow definitions, quantify costs and consider a phased approach that pairs screening and equipment reimbursement with vendor testing and state grants to help municipalities absorb initial costs.","Wallingford firefighter David Pirelli and fire-service groups urged support for House Bill 7,120 — proposing PFAS-free turnout gear for at-risk firefighters, a pilot cancer-screening program and grants to remove PFAS foam from apparatus — while chiefs warned the new gear's inner liners are not yet widely available or fully battle-tested.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652450,"Witnesses press for clearer fire, building and elevator rules after repeated outages at senior high-rises",13667,216000,13883000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4&start=216&end=13883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490573-8fad46659b497fec702ae623e93d52b4/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6652450/Connecticut/Witnesses-press-for-clearer-fire-building-and-elevator-rules-after-repeated-outages-at-senior-high-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652450-ef321147e9bd8e9a9f2446934fd9801d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843163&Signature=K8Bm7aQssrrOsDo0GBTkpoAtzkRfBnU63844AZrz4HO4bWPblsIULsFd9JBcvGURq6KnxSR9E15JWPImR1Aqq6T2tSfZvY8HhMpgvfIAq~mMxf1biLjEEK4Qjux1tQl~frwJIAf8y3vBzyjm~WwvnnS~0LDAjLzPgs44VxpxfwYMAmwpRNp7R9l1~ApVSx4Qb-7lOa1psjqAA-G9vJaUWyYos9Zq~nAPquB6-LB7X02JwPnwAaF5FMnl5pqf9hi~lIrFvwg31W3FXHYjpA7BlHUoXKsQ89mzVQDQ~-fDhh4x5fLzY43xG1~av94Zl3v9sPtcjPCANb0GsiNEzfIOxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State officials, firefighters and residents told the Public Safety and Security Committee on March 4 that House Bill 7,119 — which would revise the state fire prevention code, state fire safety code, the state building code and elevator-inspection rules — should be changed to clarify enforcement roles and address staffing and timing issues.

Supporters said the bill matters because it would tighten requirements that affect public-safety response times and the daily lives of vulnerable residents, particularly seniors and people with disabilities in high-rise congregate housing.

Commissioner Michelle Gilman of the Department of Administrative Services told the committee she and DAS had submitted testimony on the bill and would “focus our comments on the sections of the bill that concern our department.” State Fire Marshal Lori Volker and state building inspector Omeris Vasquez also testified on behalf of DAS and the State Fire Marshal’s Office about code, enforcement and inspection concerns.

The bill covers multiple topics, but witnesses focused on three practical problems: overlapping authority between agencies, the timing and feasibility of code changes, and the department’s ability to staff more frequent elevator inspections. State building inspector Omeris Vasquez told the committee the scheduled code update cycle makes immediate incorporation of some bill changes infeasible, saying timelines mean proposed changes would probably be part of the 2026 code update cycle and that “At this time, we anticipate the code to be in effect about the first quarter of 2026.” Vasquez also said the department is not currently able to meet a proposed increase in elevator inspections without additional staff: “we're not adequately staffed at this time, And this would require additional inspectors for us to be able to meet this demand.”

Local first responders and residents described the real-world consequences of outages. Alderman Henry Murphy, Sr., who represents residents of an Eastern Street senior community in Hartford, told the panel that the elevators at his building — installed when the property was built in 1971 — fail repeatedly and that relying on a single working elevator creates “a potentially dangerous situation.” New Haven Police Sergeant Christopher Alvarado recounted two calls where elevator problems increased risk and delayed response: in one, officers ran up fourteen flights of stairs after a disturbance and an officer injured his knee; in another, a 20‑minute elevator delay contributed to an argument that led to a nonfatal stabbing.

New Haven Fire Department Assistant Chief Shakira Samuel told the committee the department fields 100–200 elevator-related calls a year and that elevator outages increase physical strain and time needed to reach patients: “Getting to the victim… sometimes 19 flights of stairs and going up 19 flights of stairs. So it does take a toll on the body.” She urged the committee to back stronger inspection and enforcement tools, saying the proposed changes would “give inspectors the tools and authority needed to uphold the greatest safety standard.”

DAS and the State Fire Marshal’s Office urged legislative collaboration on language that would clarify which agency interprets and enforces particular parts of the codes. The State Fire Marshal’s Office said it would need clearer statutory language if certain regulations or chapters are folded into the fire prevention code so responsibilities and interpretive authority are not duplicated.

Committee members asked for technical fixes and for stakeholders to work line-by-line with proponents. Several members suggested a working group so the department, fire marshals, municipal building officials and resident advocates can resolve ambiguity and staffing implications before the bill advances.

Next steps: witnesses asked lawmakers to clarify interpretive authority between agencies, to account for realistic code-adoption timelines and to add funding or a staffing plan to cover more frequent elevator inspections if required. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing.","State and local fire and building officials urged the Public Safety Committee to fix overlapping code authority, staffing and inspection gaps in House Bill 7,119; New Haven residents and first responders said repeated elevator failures in senior towers create public-safety and access problems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vendor and municipal groups back school-mapping grant but urge state standards and local data ownership

Police chiefs ask lawmakers to allow seizure of cars used in 'street takeovers' after violent incidents

Civil Air Patrol asks lawmakers to exempt cadet encampments from youth-camp licensing

Firefighters press legislature for screening pilot, PFAS-free gear and reimbursements after cancer diagnoses

Witnesses press for clearer fire, building and elevator rules after repeated outages at senior high-rises