A Big Mistake

April 05, 2002

Closing Greens Farms Fire Station No. 5 for a year on a trial basis, a big mistake -- should never be considered. Schools and town folks need fire protection.

The Bedford family gave this firehouse to the town for fire protection of Greens Farms. Greens Farms fire station services five schools, two churches and residences, within two and a half miles of schools and emergency service in minutes.

The list of the Greens Farms four public schools and one private school are Greens Farms Academy, Greens Farms Elementary School, Long Lots Elementary School, Staples High School, Bedford Middle School and the two churches, Greens Farms Congregational Church and the St. Luke Church.

Keeping the Greens Farms fire house open should be the No. 1 priority issue before the town even thinks of closing the station. With five schools in the area, they need the fire protection.

Let's say Westport has two major house fires at the same time, one in Greens Farms and the other at Saugatuck Shores. Greens Farms Fire Station is closed, Central Fire Station is now assigned to cover Greens Farms area. Central Fire Station was the backup before the station closed, so now Greens Farms and Saugatuck are in need of a back up engine. You would need help from Southport or Fairfield Fire Departments to assist Greens Farms fire and you would need Norwalk for the Saugatuck Shore fire.

This would only leave Coleytown Fire Station covering the remainder of Westport.

This should be considered before closing Greens Farms. Station.

When I heard about the closing of the firehouse, it brought back memories of the tragic house fire next door to my home in Greens Farms in the 70s, where two small children lost their lives. Being a lifetime volunteer member of the Greens Farms Fire Department No. 5, my son and I entered the house, tried to reach and save them, but the fire was out of control. We were nearly trapped. You don't forget things like this; it stays with you. This is the reason I believe keeping the firehouse open for fire protection is needed.

I agree a fire engine should be manned with the right crew. At the time of the house fire next door, only one person manned the fire engine. Back then, there were many good volunteers. Greens Farms Station volunteers were always at fires. Maybe the town should look for young men who would like to become volunteer firemen, train them to assist in fires and run an engine. Then we'd have some extra help. I am a little too old, but if I was needed I would be there.

I know the firemen of Westport for years, hearing many good things about the service they provide and what they've done, knowing Chief Richard Gough is trying to make everyone understand the problems. Putting more men on a fire truck will serve the community with good service and fire protection.

Edward Edyo Keehan, Westport