Study - 6th fire station needed

Study - 6th fire station needed
By JILL BODACH
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK -- The Norwalk Fire Department needs a sixth fire station.

The Matrix Consulting Group, the firm hired by the city to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the Fire Department over the next 10 to 20 years, determined in the second phase of its study that the station is needed to improve service to the city.

There are fire stations on Connecticut Avenue, Westport Avenue, Van Zant Street, Meadow Street and New Canaan Avenue. The Matrix Group is recommending the northern portion of the city near the area of the Merritt-7 complex for the sixth station.

The study states that: "As development continues to occur in the area around the now-complete Merritt-7 complex, the demand for service will continue to increase. The bulk of service demanded in this area appears to be medical and response to traffic accidents which suggest the need to provide for both engine company and possibly additional rescue resources in the city." However, while the need for this station is not in dispute, Matrix suggested several options for staffing , some of which recommend no additional hiring but, instead, restructuring re-sources, a suggestion which has not been popular with firefighters in the past who believe they need additional manpower to respond to the increased number of calls. The options included moving the engine company from Station 1 on New Canaan Avenue to the new station and adding a two-person rescue team to Station 1, moving Station 1's engine company to the new station or opening a new engine company at the new station.

Matrix estimated that the cost of a new station would be approximately $1.7 million.

In addition to adding a sixth station, the study also recommends splitting the administrative services of the department between Station 2 on Connecticut Avenue and the former bus depot at 100 Fairfield Ave.

There are 2,200 square feet of space at Volk Headquarters. The study shows that in order for all of the administrative personnel to do their jobs effectively, 3,500 square feet of space are needed.

The study suggests keeping the executive staff and their support staff at Volk Headquarters and moving the Fire Prevention Bureau and training functions to the Fairfield Avenue facility.

In the first phase of the Fire Department study, consultants found that the department facilities are in general need of renovation and modernization.

Central station has been used since 1963 and has been described as being in a state of disrepair, but it is not the only facility that is beginning to show its age. The Meadow Street and Westport Avenue stations have leaking roofs and the Broad River station needed its ventilation system replaced because of a poor air quality.