Torrington public safety board debates EMS response policy amid staffing concerns; chiefs report equipment repairs, grant reimbursements

Torrington’s Board of Public Safety spent a substantial portion of its Jan. 8 meeting on EMS response policy, staffing levels and the operational strain on fire apparatus as commissioners pressed fire leadership for data and plans.

Fire Chief Jack Borden (identified in the meeting as Chief Borden) updated the board on equipment and personnel. He said one ladder truck had been out of service due to a stalling problem caused by a failed high-pressure fuel pump; parts are at an outside vendor and the chief said the turbo or pump replacement was imminent. “That truck should be ready to go tomorrow,” Borden said in the meeting’s discussion of vehicle repairs, and he offered to provide the board with a year-to-date total of repairs and costs.

Borden noted recruits and a driver-testing schedule tied to new contractual language and said the department secured funding approvals to send five recruits to the academy in February. Deputy Chief (unnamed) told the board the department has submitted reimbursement requests under the AFG (Assistance to Firefighters…