Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire operations: new engines, ladder truck planning and a refurbished high-water vehicle; crews credited for swan rescues
Summary
Officials said two new engines are in final design, a ladder truck is in early specification, a rescue apparatus is in build, and the department plans to refurbish a high-water vehicle to station at South Norwalk’s Station 5; crews also handled mutual-aid house fires and two swan rescues.
The Fire Commission heard that two new engines are in final design and will replace pumpers from 2007 and 2009, and that the new engines should go to build once final drawings are approved with delivery expected within the build timeline that runs through the fall. The department also is in early specification phases for a new ladder truck (a multiyear procurement) and reported a rescue apparatus in the build phase expected to enter service in early 2027.
Assistant Fire Chief of Operations said the department intends to refurbish an existing high-water vehicle, bring it up to modern safety standards and store it at Station 5 in South Norwalk to respond to coastal flooding. He explained the high-water vehicle can operate in four to five feet of water and will work in tandem with Engine 5 to evacuate residents and vehicles during floods.
Operations staff summarized January activity as about 774 incidents (roughly 25 calls per day) and described mutual aid responses to house fires in Westport and New Canaan, a chimney fire on West Rox Road that was quickly extinguished, and an attached-garage fire on East Rocks Road. Staff and commissioners also praised crews for two swan rescues that received broad public attention.
