Police and fire chiefs report on grants, recruits and apparatus; volunteers give monthly activity update

Police and fire department leaders used the Feb. 5 Board of Public Safety meeting to summarize personnel, grants, training and apparatus status.

Police: Chief Bill Baldwin said the department has several active grants, including a $30,000 distracted‑driving allotment, a $50,000 speed‑enforcement allotment, a $55,000 DWI allotment, a $10,000 Click‑It‑or‑Ticket allotment and a $35,000 stolen‑vehicle/violent‑crime allotment. Baldwin said the combined allotments for current initiatives total about $180,000, with roughly $141,280 remaining unspent. He credited the newly formed Office of Professional Standards and Captain Gonzales for pursuing and obtaining grant funding. Baldwin also said recruitment and hiring are underway: five officers are in the academy, one is in a field‑training program, and the department issued six conditional offers from recent interviews that have reduced to five candidates advancing in the process.

Baldwin said the department contracted with Lexipol (a policy and grant-support vendor) to assist with grant writing and related services and that he has a meeting scheduled with that contractor.

Fire: Fire Chief Borden reported three probationary firefighters — Richard Maloney, Mark Haley and Nick Boswell — completed their probationary periods and will transition to full status. He said five new recruits began municipal onboarding the week of Feb. 3 and will start a 15‑week academy next week. Borden thanked Colchester Fire Department for donating about 1,000 feet of 2½‑inch hose, noting the donation saves budget dollars.

Borden and Deputy Chief Perrone described a recent multi‑unit residential fire they credited to quick, effective response and said the Fire Marshal is working with the insurance company; preliminary indications were the fire was electrical in nature during renovations. Borden also noted changes in union leadership and plans to conduct lieutenant testing to fill an upcoming vacancy.

Apparatus and maintenance: Deputy Chief Perrone and Borden discussed recurring equipment issues. Departments described a cycle in which vehicles are returned to service and then require follow-up repairs; maintenance staff attempt to combine repairs into single outages when safe to do so. Perrone said one apparatus had a transmission problem that was repaired quickly; another vehicle (“the bridal”) was described as out of full service because of possible frame rust but remained in service as a pumper. The department said they are currently reliant on Engine 2 and Truck 1 for aerial capability while repairs continue. Commissioner McLeod asked about the expected delivery of a new apparatus; staff said delivery preparations point to May for shipment and follow‑up painting and lettering, though dates have shifted.

Volunteer fire departments and EMS: Drakeville volunteer Lieutenant Vegas reported 17 calls in December and said Drakeville has recruited new members and will send two volunteers to firefighter training starting in mid‑February, which will raise the interior roster close to 13. Trinity Ambulance noted the recent funeral for a 37‑year veteran employee and thanked fire and police personnel for support.

Ending: Chiefs said recruiting, academy training and grant revenue are helping offset overtime costs; apparatus maintenance remains an ongoing operational priority and will be tracked in the department reports requested by the board’s policy subcommittee.