Editorial
Survey addresses needs, challenges facing fire service
Now that Norwalk is hoping to complete its new police headquarters next spring, a survey conducted by a consulting group is looking closely at the Norwalk Fire Department facilities, along with the changes in its activities.
Its examination of the buildings that house Norwalk's Bravest shows that they are in sad shape. The Volk Central Station on Connecticut, for example, probably is the worst case. As Chief Sanford Anderson points out, it was built on swampy ground, and the floor has been replaced three times. Walls are cracking. The fact that it was a poor location in the beginning, compounded by a poor design, is water over the dam.
We have felt that the prospect of moving the department into the former Norwalk Transit District building on Fairfield Avenue -- just around the corner from Volk station -- would be a good solution. The consultants have expressed concern that "significant modifications" would be needed, but that's a given. The department already is using it to maintain the fleet of vehicles. The building with large bays and lifts capable of hoisting large engines is certainly a plus.
Lesser problems -- but problems nevertheless -- are the Westport Avenue and Meadow Street stations, both dealing with leaky roofs. Broad River station needs a new ventilation system.
A major concern of the consultant's work, expected to be completed in November, is the changing role of the department. It is now co-first responder with the Police Department to emergency calls; rescue and emergency medical calls made up nearly 48 percent of its activity last year. This pace has continued this year, and after a drop-off in the number of fire calls actually involving conflagrations, we have seen a rash of house fires this summer.
The role of the Norwalk Hospital ambulances must be considered. Are more ambulances needed? Should the Fire Department have additional vehicles, similar to SUVs, to handle medical calls? These are questions the consultants need to answer.
We look forward to their report.
All stand up for action to get things done
New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson is someone you'd call a "stand-up kind of guy." The governor, upon assuming office, furnished his conference room with a high table -- about the height of a bar -- but without chairs or stools, according to one news report.
He holds his cabinet meetings with department heads standing around the table, the idea being they won't waste a lot of time in discussing the score of last night's game, or the latest best place to eat.
Government and business spend too much time in meetings, which give the appearance of doing something but accomplish little. If participants had to stand, they might focus on matters at hand, and get back to real work more quickly.The Hour
346 Main Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-846-3281
|