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Fairfield commission hears staffing, training and radio system updates; engine delivery delays persist
Summary
Commissioners received updates on staffing, training, radio-system cutover, grant support and equipment procurement delays. Recruitments, upcoming trainings, a radio cutover and community events were highlighted.
The Fairfield Fire Commission received a series of operational updates covering staffing, training, radio communications, community events and equipment procurement during its meeting.
Lieutenant Richard Bassett was introduced as the department’s newly promoted assistant training officer/assistant safety officer; the commission said Bassett has begun integrating into training and operations. The department reported seven applicants for a fire inspector vacancy that will open with a July retirement; the department plans to send candidates to an investigation school (about two and a half months) and a subsequent codes course lasting several months to prepare the hire to assume duties.
Staff discussed ongoing training of officers to use the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and a new scheduling module. Joint traffic incident management (TIMS) training with the regional communication center and other partners also took place. Emergency-management and community outreach work includes an April Clam Jam event coordinated with Fairfield University (first planning meeting in March) and multiple public “stop the bleed” and hands-only CPR classes delivered with CERT volunteers.
The commission was briefed on a radio system cutover: the department will switch to the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio system on Saturday, Feb. 15, and staff have worked with AMR and Connecticut Telecommunications Service (CTS) to preserve interoperability. Members said they will monitor the transition closely.
On equipment procurement, the commission noted longer manufacture and delivery times: the department expects a new engine to arrive in May but said typical lead times for engines have stretched from 8–10 months to about two years and ladder trucks and rescues can take up to four years. Commissioners discussed including apparatus funding in the next round of appropriations and the town’s bonding cycle and asked staff to coordinate with the board of finance. The department’s grants manager, Mr. Riley, was credited with assisting the SAFER grant narrative and arranging a meeting with FEMA Region 1.
In community preparedness, a “File of Life” medical information pouch distribution and similar outreach were discussed; Commissioners encouraged wider distribution at senior centers and churches. Norma (identified in the meeting as the CERT representative) urged recruitment for a Basic CERT class scheduled Saturdays in March, 8 a.m.–2 p.m., at the fire training center.
No formal actions were taken on procurement or grants during the meeting; several items were described as in-progress or for future appropriations review.
