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09/12/2023 12:01 PMWith the arrival of two new fire engines next year, the North Haven Board of Fire Commissioners took a hard look at how best to acquire engines and other necessary equipment in the future at its regular meeting on Aug. 22.
Chief Paul Januszewski presented to his colleagues on the board information regarding the need to replace aging fire engines and other equipment and why purchases must be considered in a timely manner to best serve North Haven residents. Januszewski said that the North Haven Fire Department anticipates the arrival of two new apparatus from Sutphen Corporation as part of its arsenal in March 2024, making good on an order he said was made in May 2021. They will replace two engine models from 2019 and 1994.
While replacement engines are on their way, Januszewski pointed out to the board that it would be a good idea to consider plans for replacing several aging engines still in its equipment arsenal. Some may no longer be equipped anymore for the fire department to deliver its services to the town.
“We have a rescue that ...is 10 years old, and the second [rescue] that is 16 years old,” he said. “We had removed a 1987 Pierce engine from service because, for safety concerns, I could no longer keep that in service.”
He also mentioned that compared to the incoming engines, several of its smaller engines have inadequate space to carry items needed to be used in the case of an emergency.
“We can’t fit a lot of items that we carry today on the apparatus that’s 15 years older. There’s no compartment space for it, and if it does fit, quite honestly, it’s probably not safe to have it in the compartment because it’s not secure. There’s no brackets holding tools and holding things against the inside walls,” said Januszewski. “I just think this really drives the point home in terms of the amount of apparatus we have that are out of service at any given time and how much it changes day to day. I really would ask the commission to review this.”
The chief moved on to the financial side of future purchases, considering its current arsenal. He mentioned that not only does he anticipate costs of acquiring new engines to increase up to 10% each year, “but the delay in the delivery of the apparatus and the time that the order is placed is really really creeping up.”
Januszewski said that he has advocated for $300,000 each year through a bonding package to pay for the incoming engines for the next five years, totaling $1.5 million. He explained why this would be a better alternative to including the engines in the fire department’s budget.
“We only usually get about $300,000 worth of capital…If that’s all going to be put towards apparatus for the next five years, we’re not gonna be able to purchase anything else. And we’re not doing anything to try to get ahead of a three-and-a-half- to four-year lead time for apparatus,” he said.
He said that other fire-related equipment in need of replacement, including self-contained breathing apparatus, radio, and Lifepaks.
“There’s other things that we’re going to need in the next five years, and if all we’re going to get it to $300,000 towards the lease[s] of these [new apparatus], we’re not only kicking the can further down the road for all the equipment we need the next five years, but we’re making it harder and harder to get ahead of the curve for our apparatus.”
Because of this, Januszewski adamantly recommended to his colleagues that they pay for the incoming engines, future arrivals, and other necessary equipment through a bonding package they could request through the Board of Finance (BOF).
The commission ultimately agreed with Januszewski’s logic and decided to draft a letter to the BOF asking to set aside a new bonding package for the new engines.
Commissioner Jennie Caldwell added that it would make sense to have on the record a vote by the board to approve a request for new equipment to make their requests more convincing for the BOF.
“I think if we’re wanting to look at trying to purchase apparatus that we should be voting on it because it just gives the Board of Finance the idea that we’ve looked at it, we’ve examined it, and there’s been another board or commission that’s actually looked at it before it goes to them,” said Caldwell.
The commission ultimately voted approvingly to request a bonding package for the two apparatus coming next year and an additional one per the discretion of Januszewski.
Following the vote, commission chair Pasquale Nuzzolillo praised Januszewski and his department’s work on this issue and its contribution to town safety services.
“There’s no question that this is all about providing quality customer service for our residents,” said Nuzzolillo.
Caldwell stated for future reference that other town departments have incorporated a policy into their operations for replacement recommendations and that the commission should consider the same for its represented department.
“I think that’s something that we should put together at some point and have the commission vote on it and share it with the Board of Finance,” said Caldwell.
She also suggested that the commission look at other towns’ departments and consider other revenue streams to support the costs of necessary equipment for the department, such as from fire permits.
Nuzzolillo expressed his hope that the public will pay attention to town budget sessions as they relate to the fire department, the first occurring in January next year. He encouraged residents to ponder until then, “Do you want the fire department to provide the quality customer service that you expect?”