Fire Department reoganization hearing

There will be a hearing on the re-organization of the New Haven Fire Department on October 7th at 6:30pm in the aldermanic chambers at 165 Church Street, 2nd Floor.

NHI Coverage

NHRegister Coverage

September 1, 2008

Carl Goldfield, President
New Haven Board of Aldermen
165 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510

Dear Mr. President:

We would like to call upon the CAO’s office, for a plan from of action report on the possibility of reorganizing the New Haven Fire Department in order to achieve cost saving.

Yours truly,


Carl Goldfield Mordechai “Moti” Sandman
Alderman – Ward 29 Alderman – Ward 28


WHERAS the City of New Haven in it’s FY 2008-2009 budget allocated over $31million dollars for the Fire Department line item

WHERAS the City of New Haven has publicly announced the strong possibility of layoffs in the very near future

WHERAS According to the 2005 data (the latest figures available) calls for service to the City of New Haven Fire Department were 85% for medical service and 15% for fire suppression.

WHEREAS due to this inequality we as that the CAO look at the cost saving – if any – in removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement. While it would not be a decision made lightly to reduce the staffing in the Fire Department, it is critical to provide the information necessary well in advance of the next contract negotiation to ensure that the best decision is made for public safety and public finances.

WHEREAS MMA Consulting Group, Inc. of Boston Mass issued an Operational Review of the New Haven Fire Department in August 2002

WHEREAS in the above mentioned report there were a number of options for the New Haven Fire Department to follow

WHEREAS both the recommended options included the expansion of our medical services currently provided by the Fire Department

WHEREAS the City of New Haven has a limited amount of Fire Department employees trained in Advanced Life Saving (ALS)

WHEREAS the City of New Haven currently does not bill medical insurers for medical services provided

Therefore be it resolved that the CAO or his designee report to the appropriate committee of Board of Aldermen of the City of New Haven regarding the refocusing of the Fire Department. Options should include the status quo, refashioning the department into a “First Responder” Department, reducing the size of the department, and such other options as might make sense.

Further be it Resolved that the Chief Administrative Officer or his designee report to the committee who the City can create a system for billing for services rendered, both currently and in any proposed new services.

Further be it resolved that with any restructuring appropriate consolidations be made and looking at the possibility of removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement

Further be it Resolved that the CAO or his designee should present the requested report within 90 days of the passage of this resolution.