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Consultant presents options: single‑station cheaper, two‑station reduces travel time; residents push to fix Station 13
Summary
A consultant told a Willington committee that a single staffed station could handle most calls at lower cost while two staffed stations would reduce response times; attendees urged prioritizing repairs to nonfunctional Station 13 and urged clarity on grant conditions.
A consultant presenting a town‑commissioned fire and emergency services study told residents that Willington faces a choice between a lower‑cost single‑station model and a higher‑cost two‑station model that would shorten response times.
The consultant, speaking for a public‑safety firm, said estimates put a renovated or newly adapted single‑station capital cost in the range of $6.4 million to $6.8 million based on prior engineering work, while a two‑station buildout could cost “as high as $38 million,” and that local choices about building size and site make precise pricing variable. He added that those numbers should be updated with current engineering and site work estimates before any final decision is made.
Why it matters: the firm’s GIS modeling and response‑time analysis framed the principal tradeoff for the committee. The study found current 90th‑percentile response time (call to arrival) at about 15.4 minutes; a staffed single‑station model would reduce modeled travel time to roughly 10 minutes for about 89–92% of calls, while a two‑station staffed model could cut travel time toward the 8–9 minute range and lift coverage into the mid‑90s.
The presenter framed staffing as the critical variable. “Turnout time” — the interval for volunteers to muster and get underway — adds several minutes where volunteer crews are the norm; moving toward paid, on‑duty personnel materially shortens that delay. The presenter said any staffing decision drives both operating costs and ISO (Insurance Services Office) credits, which in turn can affect insurance considerations for residents.
Public reaction: several residents stressed local consequences, saying Station 13 on the west side is currently nonfunctional and that its loss has lengthened response times and raised homeowners’ insurance for some addresses. One resident said the lack of a west‑side station “is something I’m living with, too.” Multiple speakers urged the committee to treat returning Station 13 to service as an immediate priority, even if longer‑term planning continues.
Grants and timing: committee members and speakers reported a $548,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture award tied to Station 13 and the presence of a separate state community investment fund (CIF) application that could provide larger assistance for Willington Hill (discussed in public as up to $10 million). Committee members cautioned that grant conditions and allowable uses remain unclear and that the committee cannot rely on awards until terms are confirmed; one member said the committee must interpret grant restrictions before assuming funds can be applied to construction.
Other findings and options: the consultant recommended several lower‑cost steps that could improve the town’s ISO position (documentation of training, community risk reduction such as smoke‑detector programs) and suggested fleet rationalization — using dual‑purpose apparatus and reducing duplicative units — as a way to lower capital exposure. The study also recommended considering an emergency‑services coordinator or similar administrative position to centralize procurement, training documentation and grant management.
Next steps: presenters and committee members said the immediate, practical priorities are (1) restore Station 13 to a functional condition so equipment and personnel are housed locally, (2) clarify grant terms and timelines before making capital commitments, and (3) prepare a short list of 3–4 costed courses of action that show estimated capital costs, expected service standards (e.g., acceptable travel time), and likely operational impacts for public review. The committee will then forward recommendations to the board of selectmen, which retains decision authority.
The study and maps are posted on the town website; the committee asked residents to submit comments via the town contact points provided at the meeting. The committee emphasized it will deliver recommendations to the board of selectmen rather than make final governance decisions.
