Governor’s consolidation bill (SB 1016 An Act Establishing a Department Of Emergency Responder Training)

February 20, 2011



Fire Service Members
State of Connecticut

To All Members of the Fire Service in the State of Connecticut:

I am writing this with great urgency. The Governor’s consolidation bill (SB 1016, An Act Establishing a Department Of Emergency Responder Training) will combine The Commission on Fire Prevention and Control with Police Officers Standards Training Council. The public hearing on this bill will be at the LOB room 1D at 12:00 noon on February 22, 2011.

I have been communicating with members of The Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations and meeting with the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association to develop a plan to address this proposed consolidation. The members of the Joint Council will be meeting at 9:00 a.m. this Monday to finalize a unified fire service response to present at the public hearing. All organizations in the fire service must unite as one voice for the overall future of the fire service of the State of Connecticut. We all must join forces and stand together as one UNIFIED FIRE SERVICE (career and volunteer), to ensure that we, the fire service, will retain the agency which currently provides us and the future firefighters of Connecticut the level of training and support that we need to best serve our communities. This agency allows ALL Connecticut firefighters to receive the highest level of training so that we can continue serving the public whom entrust us with their lives and property.

We must realize that a consolidation will likely occur; but the fire service must stand our ground and recommend which agency or agencies will best compliment the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.

In closing, I am asking that anyone who can attend this very important public hearing regarding the future of the fire service on Tuesday February 22, 2011 at 12:00 noon in room 1D at the LOB please do so, in uniform.

Sincerely,



Chief Kenneth W. Richards, Jr.
President Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association
Chairperson Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations