Norwalk City outlines new command vehicle, SCBA upgrades and reports busy December: 769 incidents

Norwalk City’s operations chief described equipment upgrades and a higher-than-average call volume in December.

Assistant Chief of Operations Tim Reardon told the commission that the department responded to 769 incidents in December — roughly 25 calls per day, compared with the typical 22 per day. He said the increase made December ‘‘a little bit of a busier month.’’

Reardon described a nearly in-service command vehicle designed by incident commanders to provide improved accountability on scene, including an interface with SCBA gear to track firefighter air status and allow command staff to send alerts. The tactical support unit — nonemergency apparatus that carries rehab gear, extra SCBA bottles and spill containment tools — is in service and will station at Station 1.

He said the department submitted a capital request for a high-water vehicle to improve storm-surge and flood response in low-lying neighborhoods and noted a new rescue vehicle is due to arrive in early 2027 to replace the current unit.

Reardon also summarized notable incidents: a Willard Road response where CO detectors alerted crews and led to evacuation and treatment; a Spring Hill Avenue deck fire caused by a turkey; multiple house fires (Bettswood Road, Silk Street, Woodward Avenue, Camp Avenue) that crews contained; an East Avenue commercial building fire found after alarm activation; and a North Water Street crash where crews stabilized a fallen pergola to protect a driver.

No operations-related votes were taken; the briefing served as an informational update on call volume, apparatus and equipment in service or requested.