Community Corner
Aresimowicz: State Fire Schools Getting 'Much Needed Upgrades'
The state bonding commission has approved $1.5 million for upgrades to seven schools in Connecticut, offering a boost for local firefighter training opportunities.
The following was submitted by Ryan Rose, senior advisor to State Rep. Joe Aresimowicz.
House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz announced that the State Bond Commission today approved $1.5 million for improvements to fire training schools around the state.
“We can never do enough to ensure that our brave firefighters are properly trained to respond to emergencies as effectively and safely as possible. Regional fire training schools provide Connecticut first responders with tools and skills essential to saving lives and protecting our communities—this is a lifesaving investment by the state,” said Rep. Aresimowicz.
“I would like to thank Representatives Joe Aresimowicz and Betty Boukus, Governor Malloy, and everyone else who has worked so hard securing these funds. This investment by the state is critical to training generations of firefighters,” said Berlin’s Chet Haber who is Director of Training at the Hartford County Fire School.
“Education and training are paramount for first responders,” said State Representative Betty Boukus (D-Plainville & New Britain). “Safety doesn't happen by accident – it requires hard work and training. We are committed to providing top-notch training for the firefighters who will be watching over our communities.”
Reps. Aresimowicz and Boukus have led the fight to secure state funding for the much needed upgrades at seven of Connecticut’s regional fire schools. They have hosted regular meetings on the projects with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) at the Legislative Office Building.
To date, work at the New Haven and the Hartford County fire schools has been completed. The money approved today will be used to provide design and soil hazardous material removal services at the following schools:
- Burrville Regional Fire School (Torrington)
- Eastern Connecticut Regional Fire School (Willimantic)
- Fairfield Regional Fire School
- Naugatuck Valley Regional Fire School (Beacon Falls)
- Waterbury area Wolcott Regional Fire School (Cheshire)
According to the Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) there are about 26,000 firefighters in Connecticut. About 4,000 are professional firefighters and more than 22,000 are volunteers.
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