Torrington volunteers offer station to city as officials weigh East End coverage

Several residents and volunteer firefighters urged the Torrington Board of Public Safety on April 2 to keep emergency coverage on the city’s East End after Torringford Volunteer Fire Department announced it would close its station temporarily.

The public comment period opened with David Casper, a Torrington battalion chief and longtime firefighter, who recounted his start in local volunteer service and urged city leaders not to “let the efforts of so many good people fall away with the closing of this department.” Casper said Torringford helped train at least 10 current active members and many retirees.

The concern resonated across the room. Karen Thomas, an East End resident, said she feared longer response times and asked the board to “please consider staffing that, whether it be with paid staff or putting something in there, so the East End residents are considered safe.” Sharon Wagner, a longtime homeowner and former volunteer department officer, described repeated reliance on off‑duty callbacks and said, “Staffing levels have to be improved. They’re inadequate.”

Tim Schapp, secretary‑treasurer of the Retired Firefighters and Police Officers Association, told the…