[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6054264,"mediaKeyId","3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb","parentId",3338908,"title","Commission extends two firefighters’ sick leave after executive session; minutes and other motions approved","audioSeconds",50,"startMs",3658000,"endMs",3708000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb&start=3658&end=3708","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb/thumbnail_3658000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6054264/Connecticut/Commission-extends-two-firefighters-sick-leave-after-executive-session-minutes-and-other-motions-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054264-7fb9232d199318d47ccdba634330e1dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148316&Signature=gMVnArqDCDN3I7ygFWXkKkrl5xG0je2irwY7U~5WlNq2~YCXcI5vM-xkxzBGJ1axH9gtqN8LPmMuuyMmNk0MeSd7cEeK0wFHc04nzQbuPRU9SttLBWbW2EClPlrm~tfgs-8PCbuKrXZM4oZtYFF69cxzxzC2Bn4VKYxmyjVBa8D9Bsj3Cf6Tv7AqC9mlZ8acVFkmO-14bWoF68g8sDhpXz8jIr9oFfVJMbXNf5o2lqo1vn69kMLzakSHaivzjnkWQ8Hvx0cHVzyMDQmtqzaaYim1GxhVUAh4c-2ZvKnu7ydcm5Amv2pnTZd5Be8ykIGA9d3LDwe7S-D9SMWX6POqDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Fairfield, CT","date","2025-04-11T02:48:52Z","article","The Fairfield Fire Commission voted to extend sick leave for two firefighters after an executive session, the commission chair said at the meeting.

Following an executive session that the chair said produced no motions or votes, the commission approved a motion to extend the sick leave for a firefighter discussed at the February 13 meeting through April 15 and to extend the leave for a firefighter discussed at the March 20 special meeting through May 8 unless the employee receives a medical return-to-work earlier. Commissioner Klinga made the motion after the executive session and it was seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and commissioners answered “Aye.”

Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the March 13 regular meeting minutes and accepted the draft minutes of the March 20 special meeting, motions that were seconded and approved by voice votes recorded in the meeting as “Aye.” The commission also voted to enter executive session to consider personnel matters; the recorded motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Meeting minutes show the executive session ended with no votes taken.

No roll-call tallies were read into the record; all outcomes were approved by voice vote as recorded on the meeting audio.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairfield 04/10/25 Fire Commission","oneSentenceSummary","After an executive session with no votes taken, the commission voted to extend sick leave for two firefighters (new expiration dates April 15 and May 8 unless earlier medical return). The board also approved meeting minutes and entered/exited executive session by voice votes.","taxTitle","Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",57943,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054269,"Fire officials press for Villa Avenue redesign after traffic-calming raised access concerns",381,2063000,2444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb&start=2063&end=2444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb/thumbnail_2063000.jpg","/articles/6054269/Connecticut/Fire-officials-press-for-Villa-Avenue-redesign-after-traffic-calming-raised-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054269-ddec49b2cece0d1d47436519018b2e4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148316&Signature=lnUdvUzYUeuP-U09FMbOfIT8IB6W7IZH2Vd1rJYdhCcmKoJSjoccWSrz5DzBffdLXR~jpZj~8kmkjEro6uD-9GDhX~ak1nWSVSKUN3Xp2BKWl5Cqf6A12y5gmTBR0xr~VLooApGCsUio7wrxZEsvowWqNumFfRTiuUCOASC2AR8XmabsIw6U9Nh700zpquYek07b0djT2mrxSM1BteonwYtAdtgCuW2GrJ1Ij2uEbZWCPwNC~MsLZ8PFyvd7rF0Hh2gbg0i2wcViwstz86~m5RlqekEPxZWISjn5jP7~9ot~jBQQqe5QoEkr2VKEyerTJeNfK~yhvKNPFhbz0b2NGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire officials asked town engineers to revise a Villa Avenue traffic-calming project after concluding some of the installed barriers could impede fire apparatus, the deputy chief said at the commission meeting.

The project is part of the town’s Safe Streets initiative, which staff described as Fairfield’s version of Vision Zero and includes traffic studies, crash history analysis and resident input. The deputy chief said the department had attended an engineering meeting and “expressed our opinion…we demonstrated to them why we need greater access.” Engineers earlier had designed long barriers intended to slow traffic; fire staff said the current configuration leaves little room for either parked cars or to maneuver a large apparatus.

Commissioner Joe Olsafsky and Commissioner Klinga pressed for clarification about who designed the barriers and the project’s goals. “The engineering department designed those barriers,” a commissioner noted; the deputy chief confirmed that engineering’s intent was to reduce vehicle speeds, not to improve traffic flow. Officials said they expect a redesign based on department feedback and will work with engineering to ensure that emergency access, parking impacts and snowplow maintainability are considered.

Potential solutions discussed included lowering or narrowing islands so apparatus could straddle them and avoiding planting or signage in the central strips that would block trucks. Staff emphasized the importance of being part of the planning phase on future projects rather than attempting retrofits after construction.

The commission said it will monitor the redesign and provide endorsements if needed to reach a solution acceptable to both safety planners and emergency responders.","Fire and engineering staff are redesigning barriers on Villa Avenue after the department warned the current configuration could impede apparatus access. Officials said engineering will revise the plan to balance pedestrian safety and emergency access.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054273,"OSHA report prompts Fairfield fire department plan to replace aging turnout gear; station air exchanges installed at two sites",146,1922000,2068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb&start=1922&end=2068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb/thumbnail_1922000.jpg","/articles/6054273/Connecticut/OSHA-report-prompts-Fairfield-fire-department-plan-to-replace-aging-turnout-gear-station-air-exchanges-installed-at-two-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054273-b307f100ab4992a4398695d1ad5c8660/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148316&Signature=HHVXMFakGbEkxaXawQ1FV0n1c6alAPLeo5xPhLjCQ6qR-H2199QUnI73lD7UNZMt5a4T~pYwpS0HAFcjliBoZaeRpyk9BAEw~opoRr5aHXy0Lrtfifp6jWR2T4pjiVPmBJVjLBDXJNmCUFZC74Xu8B-nmqKw~a69W89E2YcYK97NZxKnhtDGCvh1BJ5uwOK~0vvF-WzoWhBcrJHB-Ba64W2sBCigkPWm~DufZkcfdjOSeTQew-G0Qzgz7hB7-nv6iqXd-rQJlm5D86keIxDfCjcGh3SIh02Z5U20-uQocIOKoUpcfsFMlGzPqC38y4nWqCwp70F2wj5NA7J0vFizTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield fire officials reported an OSHA inspection that produced 13 citations and said they will build a needs assessment to replace turnout-gear ensembles that exceed a 10-year service life, a deputy chief told the commission.

The deputy chief said the department received the OSHA findings after on-site inspections in January and February and an informal conference the previous day. “We had a total of 13 violations, ranging from an eyewash station that needed to be cleaned to a power strip that needed to be removed,” the deputy chief said. Officials emphasized most deficiencies are already being corrected and that roughly half a dozen items remain to be remediated.

One OSHA issue flagged the age of turnout gear. The deputy chief said ensembles — defined as coat, pants and related items — should not be older than 10 years. The department is developing an asset-tracking plan and a replacement schedule for helmets, hoods, gloves and other soft goods. The official noted that some members have purchased their own helmets and boots, and the union urged the town to consider replacing those items as part of the compliance plan.

Town staff also reported completion of an air-exchange program at Stations 2 and 3; work at Station 1 is continuing. The deputy chief described the project as a townwide building assessment led by the public works department that identified mechanical and safety improvements beyond strictly “air quality” testing — for example, missing railings and emergency lighting repairs that were included in the contractors’ recommendations.

Training and readiness items were also reported: the department completed rapid intervention team (RIT) drills, obtained hands-on acquired-structure training at a donated house and ran a lieutenants’ “boot camp” onboarding course for new officers.

Commissioners asked for timelines for the remaining OSHA corrections and the gear-replacement plan. Officials said they will return with a formal needs assessment and proposed procurement strategy.","An OSHA review produced 13 citations; department leaders said they will perform a needs assessment for turnout ensembles and track replacement dates. Air-exchange improvements are complete at Stations 2 and 3; Station 1 work remains.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054276,"Fairfield commission clears hiring push, schedules exam; consortium, lateral hires and academy discussed",579,474000,1053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb&start=474&end=1053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338908-d8050247fd3eae92b80de7b2f7c1d6bb/thumbnail_474000.jpg","/articles/6054276/Connecticut/Fairfield-commission-clears-hiring-push-schedules-exam-consortium-lateral-hires-and-academy-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054276-ee415e5b83d122f1251d6f04eade1311/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148316&Signature=cdkV-6ZJFNS7pIIjNEga3Tq9amH2Ut-kJf6PfZ21SJqgpeRMsV74RIlyJU4iGyH0lqVoCmxUSR4K47Fp9Bkh8X9wFOW-4ZlLRmz2rj-u228QupENPCmcr5~hu~bVLeaQWSAZSWVZ3y-hvXk0RNVjUNrV6WM3m2WK30Cd40Nkco1~ARBx-rTkVLZd-pjBVk7ZeMaFIUsKv50-h8u6jMqKmJkXFp9InUagauUgNkPot63u-qRWgTINjFt8tYCRghDjprUMUMuNbpZ8kYDvOUBBUL4WsH16bhBkTG6tiDm~rzNjJIyjXHG2vxVGDs9WzX4qUzAqhfylGdojZoxCLthK~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairfield Fire Commission said it has received town approval to begin hiring firefighters and set a written exam for April 22, Fire Chief said during the commission meeting.

The move starts a phased hiring plan intended to produce two candidate lists — one for lateral transfers and one for entry-level applicants — before the department narrows an interview pool. The chief told commissioners the process is meant to “harvest these names” quickly so the department can address recent vacancies created by promotions and account for long lead times to receive new apparatus.

The commission said the April 22 written test will be administered through the regional consortium that offers validated exams. “You need an exam. You need a validated exam,” the Fire Chief said, adding that the consortium contract shifts testing liability to the testing company. The department plans to use consortium scores for this round; candidates who hold higher prior scores may use those scores under consortium rules.

Commissioners and staff outlined next steps: after the written exam the town will close applications, produce score lists, and decide how many candidates to interview from each list. The chief said there will be a second phase to select interviewees and a later phase to consider whether to pursue a Fairfield-only exam in the future.

The commission also discussed training and recruitment capacity. Officials said they are discussing running a firefighter academy in the region, possibly hosted at Fairfield or run jointly with a neighboring jurisdiction, rather than attempting a first-time, town-run academy alone. The commission scheduled promotions for April 29 and noted that those promotions expand the number of driver/operators the department must train.

Local 1426, the firefighters’ union, spoke in the meeting and criticized recent proposals that would restrict employee movement between departments. “If you can’t hold on to your employees, it ain’t a **** problem. It’s…you’re a crappy employer,” the Local 1426 representative said, arguing that retention stems from local hiring practices and benefits.

Town counsel’s opinion on the consortium’s “no-poach” expectation was discussed: commission members were told the consortium participation agreement did not include an enforceable, written prohibition on hiring candidates who accepted offers elsewhere, so the town may not be legally bound to restrict hires to consortium towns.

The commission said the hiring authorization comes as part of broader staffing and budget planning; the chief earlier reported that the Representative Town Meeting approved funding for apparatus replacement and future apparatus procurement.

The department said it will return to commissioners with specifics — application deadlines, interview thresholds and any recommended local policies — after exam results are posted.","The commission said it received town approval to begin hiring, set an April 22 exam and outlined a phased plan for lateral and entry-level recruits. Officials and the union discussed retention and a possible local academy; promotions are set for April 29.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission extends two firefighters’ sick leave after executive session; minutes and other motions approved

Fire officials press for Villa Avenue redesign after traffic-calming raised access concerns

OSHA report prompts Fairfield fire department plan to replace aging turnout gear; station air exchanges installed at two sites

Fairfield commission clears hiring push, schedules exam; consortium, lateral hires and academy discussed