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Ray Whitbread, former chief of the Turn of River Volunteer Fire Department, believes Stamford is a safer place to live now that the Belltown, Long Ridge and Turn of River volunteer fire departments have agreed to become the Stamford Volunteer Fire Department.
A minimum of two career firefighters will now be in each house at all times, Whitbread said at Fridays news conference announcing the agreement. The paid firefighters previously were unevenly spread among six firehouses. Springdale is expected to join the agreement soon, Whitbread said.
What we have now is equal distribution of firefighters throughout the district, the former chief said. The agreement also allows firefighters to go into other districts, putting 12 to 18 career firefighters on duty at any given time and at least three on weekdays and two on overnights and weekends. The paid firefighters will work alongside the volunteers in those houses.
This is the first step in Mayor Michael Pavias reorganization plan to ultimately form two fire departments in the city, the Stamford Fire and Rescue made up of paid firefighters and the Stamford Volunteer Fire Department. Once Springdale joins the other three houses, an agreement will be drawn up between the two departments for the Board of Representatives to approve.
This is the largest piece of granite in the building blocks, Pavia said at the news conference. The full plan should be approved and implemented by late fall, the mayor said. He also expects no new tax district and no layoffs.
What do you think of the merger of the three volunteer firehouses? Do you feel safer? Share your thoughts and opinions below or e-mail them to reporter Anthony Buzzeo at tbuzzeo@mainstreetconnect.us or tbuzzeo@thedailystamford.com.
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