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Middletown fire chief updates commission on Hawthorne brush fire mutual aid, equipment purchases and HQ renovation
Summary
Chief Albert reported 357 calls for the month, described providing EMS/REMS support at the Hawthorne brush fire (8 days reimbursable by FEMA), announced acquisition of 61 rope bailout kits, and updated the commission on HQ renovations and training-building ARPA paperwork.
Chief Albert opened his monthly report at the Nov. 18 Public Safety Commission meeting with operational highlights including mutual-aid activity at the Hawthorne brush fire, recent training, equipment acquisitions and facility work.
Albert said the department logged 357 emergency calls in the month and provided specialized EMS coverage during the Hawthorne brush fire, supporting a REMS team on ATVs for roughly eight days; he stated the department expects FEMA reimbursement for that coverage.
Training and equipment: Albert described a trip to Pennsylvania to inspect a training building the department is considering and said the department acquired 61 rope bailout kits so each riding/operational position has personal bailout equipment. He said the department completed ladder and pump testing and has upcoming lieutenant, battalion and captain exams with promotions planned early next year.
Facilities and apparatus: Albert reported that Engine 3 remains out of service at a vendor for significant repairs and that repair spending this fiscal year has already exceeded last year’s totals despite being only five months into the fiscal cycle. He said HQ renovation demo work began, temporarily relocating engines to the water department on Berlin Street, and that the HQ work is expected to take about 90 days and will tie into a 125th-anniversary ribbon-cutting event.
Hazard planning: The chief noted participation in an ammonia drill and said the department will work with the state fire marshal and building officials as Wesleyan implements ammonia systems at its rink; he emphasized the inhalation hazard and the need for updated response policies.
Grants and staffing: Albert said the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) window opened, the department has hired a grant writer and intends to pursue training-related grants that would largely cover training costs. He also reported mutual-aid ambulance calls rose this month and that dispatch staffing is at 16 with two in training.
Albert ended the report by offering praise to Westfield and local police for interagency cooperation on recent incidents. Several commissioners asked questions about timelines, staffing impacts, and financial implications for taxpayers; Albert said the department will pursue grant dollars first and be frugal if bonding is needed for future construction plans.
