The chairman of Newtown's Board of Fire Commissioners conducted a brief presentation to the Legislative Council December 3 after representatives posed questions about certain fire department requests in the new Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The CIP is a five-year projection of major projects planned for the community, most of which are underwritten by bonding.

Before addressing specific questions, Fire Commission Chairman Rob Manna explained that his panel's responsibilities include ensuring Newtown's five independent volunteer fire companies are trained, equipped and outfitted to national standards related to firefighting.

Mr Manna explained that All five department tankers are reaching the end of their effective life span of 25 years of service. He said three replacements are included in the CIP, because the priority departments involved are getting measurable discounts by purchasing three pieces of apparatus at the same time.

In many areas of town where there is no city water supply to hydrants, and no immediate proximity to water sources, tankers may be the only water source for a major fire. Typically when a major structure fire erupts in those areas, all five local tankers are employed.

Additional units may even be called in from Monroe, Southbury, Bethel or Redding.

Mr Manna also reminded the council that new apparatus meets or exceeds current national standards for operator and passenger safety.

"The second highest cause of firefighter deaths is motor vehicle crashes," he said. "These new tankers will have state-of-the-art safety (features)."

Turning to a capital request from Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue for funds to renovate and expand its substation near the Monroe town line, First Selectman Pat Llodra told council officials that Newtown encompasses 60 square miles, and the Route 34 substation is a critical component of effective response in that area of town.

She also said it would be disadvantageous on several fronts if the community were to redistrict its fire services to downsize by any one company for economic purposes. She said the town currently meets specific insurance underwriting criteria for fire safety and response, and homeowners would ultimately pay the price for any reduction in current station or district levels with increases in premiums.

"We recognized years ago that we need to support these firehouses to the best of our ability," Mrs Llodra said.

Councilman Anthony Filiato said he was questioned by constituents following the Labor Day parade, about why the town seems to have a surplus of fire apparatus.

"Have the standards changed, can we do this more efficiently?" he asked. "Or are we underserved?"

Mr Manna responded clarifying that all five companies purchase most of their own apparatus with assistance from the commission, and that each company also houses a town-owned pumper and tanker.

Sandy Hook Chief and Fire Marshal William Halstead joined the conversation saying apparatus and station placement is maintained according to guidelines set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and that Insurance Services Office (ISO) standards for general homeowners underwriting stipulates all buildings in town must fall within five miles of a responding fire station.

He said the latest local building rules now call for any subdivision developer must install a 30,000 gallon "suppression tank" to supply one hour's worth of water for fire fighting to meet the agency minimum standards for the town's current ISO ratings.

There are currently 70 of those tanks throughout the town, Chief Halstead added.

Regarding the Sandy Hook substation request, he said the company currently raises $115,000 annually to maintain its two stations, equipment and to cover ongoing training. The company responds to more than 500 calls each year with its 60-plus active members.

"The Sandy Hook District is almost as large as the rest of the town," Chief Halstead said, and more than 100 calls a year require response from their substation.

"We don't like to go to the town to ask for money," he said.

"The town has invested in apparatus, and we want to protect that investment," Mr Manna added. He said that the current size of the substation bays do not accommodate current apparatus sizes.

And Chief Halstead said basic comforts and facilities for volunteers including a woman's bathroom and any substantial gathering space for responders is lacking in the substation.

Mr Manna said while it was challenging to make sure budget allocations to the fire companies are fairly distributed each year, each of the five departments receives about $30,000 in support during each five year disbursement cycle.

Mrs Llodra estimated that entertaining one or more paid fire companies, versus volunteer, would minimally cost taxpayers $5 million annually.

Councilman Dan Honan closed the discussion saying, "Any money we give to the fire departments is money saved."