Fire system study gets go-ahead

By Wynne Parry
Staff Writer
04/09/2008 01:00:00 AM EDT

STAMFORD - The Board of Representatives this week approved a $132,000 study to assess the city's fire department and plan for the city's future needs.

The city will hire TriData, a division of System Planning Corp., to begin the six- to eight-month study shortly, city Public Safety Director William Callion said.

But many volunteer firefighters criticize the study, saying it is an attempt by the city to undermine the autonomous volunteer-run fire districts, which also include paid firefighters.

"My opposition for this stems from the fact that I truly and firmly believe the purpose is to finally try and eradicate the volunteer fire service in Stamford," city Rep. Joseph Coppola, R-15, a former chief of Belltown's volunteer department, said at the Board of Representatives meeting Monday where the expenditure was approved.

Mayor Dannel Malloy's office has said the comprehensive study was necessary to assess the system - which relies on paid and volunteer firefighters - and to plan for the dramatic growth projected in Stamford.

City Rep. Arthur Layton, R-17, questioned the need for a study, which he predicted would recommend further integration between the paid and volunteer systems.

"The question not being asked is how much will it cost?" he said of a greater dependence on paid firefighters. "Let's not hide; we should be developing a public forum."

Despite those objections, the board voted 20-13 to approve the study.

"We're excited we can proceed," Callion said in an interview.

TriData is slated to provide a master plan to address the city's future needs. The study also will examine Stamford Emergency Medical Services, which responds to every medical call alongside firefighters, Callion said.