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Norwalk Fire Department reports high call volume, new apparatus expected in service by Jan. 1
Summary
Assistant Chief McCabe told commissioners the department handled 652 incidents in November (about 21 per day) and listed nine working fires since Nov. 1. He said a highway-blocking attenuator truck is undergoing final inspection and, if all goes well, should be in service by Jan. 1; a scene support vehicle was delivered and will be upfitted.
Assistant Chief McCabe told the Norwalk Board of Fire Commissioners on Dec. 17 that the department responded to 652 incidents in November — "averaging just over 21 per day." He said the November totals included 25 fires and 339 emergency medical calls, and that from January through November the department logged 7,498 incidents and 11,949 total responses for 2024 to date.
McCabe outlined near-term equipment steps aimed at keeping crews safe and responding efficiently. He said the final build inspection for the department's highway-blocking attenuator truck was scheduled for the next day and that he and the master mechanic would inspect the vehicle in Watertown. "If all goes well, we'll have it back in Norwalk and should have it in service and responding to calls by January 1," he said. He also said the department took delivery of a new scene support vehicle that will be sent for upfitting with lights, siren and an SCBA bottle compressor before entering service.
On operational planning, McCabe said standard operating procedures for the highway-blocker are complete and that training will begin once personnel have familiarized themselves with the vehicle. He added the department is finalizing agreements with neighboring towns for a tanker task force and has equipment on order; once agreements are in place the department will begin multi‑agency training.
McCabe also provided a list of notable incidents since the prior meeting, saying there have been nine working fires since Nov. 1 — seven in Norwalk and two automatic-aid responses to Rowayton — and reciting several structure-fire locations and a boat fire at the South Norwalk Boat Club.
Commissioners asked about safety when deploying the attenuator in icy conditions. McCabe said state police assist with traffic control when on scene, the department leaves a larger buffer zone in poor conditions and uses emergency lights, caution striping and an arrow sign to direct traffic. He said there is no separate siren that warns firefighters if a vehicle becomes uncontrolled; crews maintain situational awareness on scene.
The department did not provide a firm in-service date beyond the expressed Jan. 1 target for the attenuator; McCabe characterized the date as contingent on a successful inspection and delivery.
