Fire department outlines FY26 operating and capital requests, cites aging air packs and apparatus

The Fire Chief presented the New Canaan Fire Department's FY26 operating and capital requests to the Board of Finance committee, saying the operating budget increase is driven largely by overtime and salaries and the capital package seeks replacement of aging self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and other apparatus.

The chief said the department responded to about 1,237 calls this year and reported 48 structure fires under United States Fire Administration reporting criteria. He said property and contents loss from incidents this year totaled about $600,000 and that the assessed value of buildings where crews took action was roughly $71,000,000; he added that about half of that assessed value was town-owned property, citing examples that included West School, Avalon and Millport.

The operating request includes a placeholder 2% line for anticipated contract negotiations and pay increases while the…