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Norwalk: Fire Department Thread


by turfgrrl


August 16th, 2007 · 21 Comments

Mr. Greenpeace sent along a link to an article up on a fire fighter news web site about Norwalk’s new health program. The article first appeared in the Norwalk Citizen News.

Lauren Garrison reports:

The Fire Department, which has seen its fair share of job-related injuries, is in the midst of implementing a new wellness program for its firefighters.

In a recent interview, Fire Chief Denis McCarthy said he expects the program to reduce the number of injuries and to lessen the severity of injuries and, consequently, the amount of time firefighters spend away from the job recovering.

McCarthy noted that Westport, Wilton, Stratford and Bridgeport have all implemented similar programs with positive results. Researchers from Southern Connecticut State University evaluated Westport’s program and found “the investment paid dividends back to the city in a safer work environment and reduction of loss of time,” he said.

Tags: In the News · Norwalk

21 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Fire Department Thread”



  • 1 anon // Aug 16, 2007 at 10:51 am

    Speaking of fires, does anyone know what happened with the fire at Andrews field?

  • 2 Vet Park Junkie // Aug 16, 2007 at 11:19 am

    Turfgrrl, could we get a thread on the band equipment fire?

  • 3 Dennis Santpietro // Aug 16, 2007 at 12:36 pm

    This may be a good idea, as today the fire department is comprised of mostly young non smoking men. This has been proposed since the 1960’s. The only thing is that if you put these men through a daily training program, will you possibly use up strength that might better be used if a fire is called in while they are in this exertion situation?

    I am also not sure that this does not fall under a “change in working conditions” and is an item that has to be brought into contract negotiations.

    I might suggest a pilot program that can be tried for a specified period to see if it is just another way for the Department to have the men do “Busy Work.” It should be done only during “Drill Time” and then only for a period of time that allows the men to drill on fire related operations. Knowing where everything on a fire truck is, and how to use it, is much more valuable then being able to carry an extra 10 lbs of dumb bell weights, or being able to run 5 miles.

  • 4 Mr Greenpeace // Aug 16, 2007 at 12:41 pm

    thanks for the thread , we have great department this was a nice article to read,,maybe here we can let them know our support thank them for things they have done in the past they are the first in last out,,they have a firemans prayer that would go nice on a posting if someone has the time..they do touch many lives here in Norwalk.

  • 5 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Aug 17, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    Their new motto should be;

    “If you don’t like us, the next time your house is on fire, call a dog catcher.”

  • 6 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Aug 19, 2007 at 8:38 am

    Funny just yesterday, at a fire in a building that was affected by the 9/11 attack, 2 firefighters will killed.

    Had the fire been reported to the NYC Dog Warden, these men might still be alive.

    Remember “It is not that life is to short, it is that death is so damn long.”

    The Norwalk FD is a bunch of great guys, and believe me if you have ever had a house fire, hearing the sirens, and seeing these guys pull up to the fire, is like a religious experience.

    God Bless them.

  • 7 Anonymous // Jan 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    FEMA grant to help
    firefighters purchase
    new rescue gear

    NORWALK — The Norwalk Fire Department
    has received a $77,659 grant from the Federal
    Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance
    to Firefighters grant program

    “We are going to purchase a full compliment
    of hydraulic rescue equipment like the Jaws of
    Life, to replace our very old and heavily used
    compliment of hydraulic rescue equipment,”
    McCarthy said.
    The grant will also fund three additional
    purchase of high-pressure lifting bags that
    through the use of air pressure, will allow firefighters
    to lift a tractor trailer or train — up to
    300 tons — that has fallen on its side; the purchase
    of nomadic vehicle stabilization equipment.

    this was from the HOUR

    now correct ne if I’m wrong we have a heavy rescue coming and need more manpower isn’t it time we step up to the plate and support them and get them what they need.

    I’m sure things have changed but in the past we use to rely on other dept far away to supply some things, recently we had a jumper of the bridge and it was a whikle before we got help, correct me if I’m wrong NFD.

    Of course what would a posting be like iof we didn’t thank the fire dept personal and ask where the grant writer from Norwalk was on this, of course Dick will be there on delivery like it was his idea.

    I do support the local NFD but not city hall.

    Go LOCAL 830 you guys rock!

  • 8 Anonymous // Jan 8, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    Since 2003, the department
    has received close to $1 million
    in firefighter assistance grants
    that has been used to purchase
    everything from turn-out gear,
    to air packs, to the current rescue
    equipment.
    Without the grants, the
    department would not have
    much of the equipment it does
    today, McCarthy said.
    “Clearly, the department and
    the city would be unable to
    have funded all of this,”
    McCarthy said. “But with the
    evolving demand on fire services
    these grants have allowed us
    to meet the levels of services
    that are required of us.”
    Jill Bodach is a features and
    general assignment reporter.
    She can be reached at 354-1046
    or jbodach@thehour.com.

    too bad McCarthy didn’t mention the hard work of his own men on these grants, its common for a jake to pass on compliments to others who do the work like a rescue its like street smarts, we who read the articles read through them becuase the reporters can’t while they are spoon fed the article,

    Now is it time for a nap The Hour?

    this is below grade reporting and editing I’d say.

    To the firefighters and marshals who work at this they don’t fool me I know who does the work and to think there will be grandstanding on this while our ubion is in Stamford fighting for some more lions share of the pie.

    Where did the top salary men on the fire dept sit?

    yes another story for another day right?

    we support you local 830

    write like some one else and take the heat off of the dept.

    ,,,,,,,,,,,,, :) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

  • 9 Anonymous // Jan 9, 2008 at 2:50 am

    A family tradition ends

    By JILL BODACH
    Hour Staff Writer

    NORWALK — When James “Jim” Bogdany Jr. hangs up his Norwalk Fire Department turnout gear for the last time Friday, it will mark the first time in 97 years, with the exception of a two-month period in 1978, that a Bogdany hasn’t been a member of the NFD

  • 10 Anonymous // Jan 9, 2008 at 2:56 am

    great article pick up the Hour and read the rest.

  • 11 Anonymous // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Why would a truck on water street back up to a building on the vacant lot fill a barrel of liquid and put a flammable sticker on it put it into an unmarked truck and proceed through our streets with no placards?

    I suppose what ever they are pumping out of the ground next to SoNo seafood must be good stuff.

    I guess if I was a firefighter I would want to know what was in side the buiding with electric power going into next to a well field.

    I suppose if I was in charge of the fire dept I’d make sure my men are protected from whatever is in that building.

    I I was the mayors office who read this I’d tell the mayor its time to do damage control and do something about this blog.

    If I was a firefighter I’d want to know what this all means, depending on town boards to simply tell us whats going on stopped may years ago when the truth was banned from public forum.

    How can a truck carry a hazardous waste without markings in Norwalk?

    Why isn’t the building marked Mr Mayor?

  • 12 Anonymous // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    Suspicious blaze
    Norwalk Fire Inspector John Lomba investigates Wednesday what officials are calling a “suspicious” car
    fire. The limousine became engulfed in flames in front of the Colonial Village housing complex while on
    its way to a funeral

    from the Hour

  • 13 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2008 at 6:04 am

    Anon11-what they did may be ok with DOT. Some hazardous materials only need container to be marked, and not transport vehicle.

  • 14 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2008 at 8:25 am

    Placard Requirements:
    There are nine classes of Hazardous Materials. Vehicles transporting any quantity of explosives (1.1, 1.2, 1.3), Poison Gas, Dangerous When Wet, Organic Peroxide, Poison Inhalation Hazard or Radioactive Materials require placarding for even trace amounts. Vehicles transporting Other Explosives, Flamable Gas, Non-flammable Gas, Combustible, Flammable Solid, Spontaneously Combustible, Oxidizer, Organic Peroxide, Poison, Keep Away from Food or Corrosives require placards when transporting over 1,000 lbs. of the substance

    There were no tests done on the liquid pumped into the drums. On a day like today I suppose the process will take place again after the rain.

    Your right #13 but what I observed does not fit DOT standard . The wells that are located on the empty lot was not considered when they repaved Sono Seafood parking lot as well. Continuation of lax or missing enforcement will only result in safety or environmental damage to our city here or somewhere else in the city down the road. What was good 20 years ago doesn’t fly now here in Norwalk or anywhere else.

    You would think the waste stream and cradle to grave paperwork being generated would be on file somewhere in the city , again something that needs to be adressed for the safety of the firefighhters and residents I would assume.

    Its been pointed out here on the infamous blog the news media needs to take a quick course in this subject and others so we can rely on our news source.Factual newsprint is needed more than ever in our city as we head into the next year.

  • 15 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Jakes Unite!
    We have learned that Boston firefighters are threatening to disrupt the mayor’s State of the City address.

    The firefighters union has filed for a parade permit to be used outside the Strand Theater Tuesday night.

    Boston firefighters have been working without a contract for nearly two years.

    This isn’t the first time the union has targeted the mayor’s address

    wonder if that would work in Norwalk?

    we know you got a contract but was it fair?

  • 16 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2008 at 11:07 am

    thank god we don’t have a highway going thru Norwalk like this.

    http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/15018885/detail.html

  • 17 Anonymous // Jan 13, 2008 at 1:40 am

    BRIDGEPORT — The City Council on Monday approved $500,000 in emergency funds to repair a sagging fire station on Ocean Terrace.
    The money was approved despite objections from one council member and advice from a state representative that the city should do a better job determining infrastructure and repair needs.

    How do we get someone from a state rep to warn us of such things?

  • 18 Anonymous // Jan 13, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Twenty-second Round AFG
    City of Norwalk Fire Department Operations and Safety $77,659
    Oneco Fire Company Number 1, Incorporated Operations and Safety $64,871
    South Fire District of the City of Middletown Operations and Safety $50,827
    Town of Burlington Fire Department Operations and Safety $307,161
    Winchester Volunteer Fire Department Vehicle Acquisition $177,175

  • 19 Edurnapinna // Apr 10, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    Hello my friends :)
    ;)

  • 20 Anonymous // Apr 10, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    It was great the Norwalk fire dept called OSHA right after a wall fell on a worker last year they were looking out for the city. Hardhats were worn for a while.

    Now the same building they are doing excavation work and brick work and no safety rules are being applied where is our fire dept now?

    Ok so there is another bulding the fire dept worked so hard on a fire on Commerence st that is being rebuilt. No safety no hard hats no nothing.

    If this is any indication how all our new construction will be overseen in the city we are in trouble.

    I’m surprised the fire dept hasn’t taken a lead in inspecting these construction sites,they all by the looks of it need some city supervision.

  • 21 Anonymous // Apr 11, 2008 at 1:10 am

    1. Overview:
    The City of Norwalk invites Proposals from qualified consultant firms to assess the Norwalk
    Fire Department’s current in-station public address system(s) and design specifications for the
    supply and installation of a new voice alarm and public address system.
    The Norwalk Fire Department has six facilities, five (5) fire stations and a maintenance
    facility. They have 148 individuals that make up their approved budget strength.
    2. Purpose:
    The City of Norwalk Fire Department presently uses a Public Address system as its primary
    means of dispatching alarms. This public address system also functions as the public address
    system for routine announcements. The amplifiers and speakers in the various fire stations are
    a mixture of original equipment from when the stations were built and some replacement
    equipment, some of which was not designed for its intended use.
    The City of Norwalk Fire Department has funds allocated in its 2007-2008 and 2008-2009
    Capital Budgets to contract for the design, purchase, and installation of a new Voice Alarm
    and Public Address system in all six fire department buildings. The intent of this capital outlay
    is to have a voice alarm system and public address system that meets all requirements of
    NFPA 1221: Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services
    Communications Systems (2007 Edition).
    The City of Norwalk Fire Department wishes to contract with a consultant who will examine
    the existing systems and design specifications for a new Voice Alarm and Public Address
    system. The City of Norwalk Fire Department will then use the specifications to request
    proposals for installing such a system

    you would of thought this was part of the 911 system

    http://www.bid.ci.norwalk.ct.us/2623.pdf

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