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Commission approves $350,000 training-building grant; chief outlines Harbor Park safety measures and PFAS‑free gear trials
Summary
The commission approved a $350,000 Urban Act grant for a training building. Chief Holmes also described steps after a recent Harbor Park dive incident — temporary boulders and fixed cameras — and reported gear trials to phase out PFAS with three donated demo sets.
The Middletown Public Safety Commission voted on Oct. 20 to confirm an Urban Act grant of $350,000 to support a new training building for the fire department. Chief Holmes asked the commission to forward the grant confirmation to finance and government; a motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Harbor Park safety measures: Holmes reviewed a recent dive incident at Harbor Park in which responders nearly called the event unfounded because panning cameras did not hold the scene view. He said the department placed large boulders at an access point at Columbus Park as a temporary physical barrier and has ordered fixed, non‑panning cameras (fiber trenching and installation pending) funded in part by a Wesleyan grant. "Having that dedicated eye...that's gonna be a pretty big game changer for us," Holmes said, arguing persistent cameras will help dispatch and on‑scene crews find a vehicle or victim more rapidly.
PFAS‑free gear trials and health concerns: The chief said a gear committee formed to evaluate turnout gear alternatives after concerns about PFAS in current equipment. A manufacturer provided three free demonstration sets (Holmes estimated their value at about $15,000) for staff testing; Holmes said the committee expects the first three sets in December and aims for a phased transition to PFAS‑free gear over three to four years. "We're trying to get rid of PFAS...we'll start phasing everything up," he said, adding that industry standards are changing and manufacturers are reducing harmful components.
Other business: Holmes listed community outreach and training activities (touch‑a‑truck events, active‑shooter tabletop exercises and collaboration with Connecticut State Police dive resources). He also reported dispatch staffing—19 dispatchers with one in training—and presented monthly incident totals.
The meeting adjourned at about 7:19 p.m.
