Connecticut Decision-makers Become Fire Fighters For A Day

November 1, 2010 – Three Connecticut IAFF affiliates – Fairfield Local 1426, Stratford Local 998 and Westport Local 1081 – hosted a successful Fire Ops 101, leaving all participants commenting on their new appreciation for what fire fighters do on a daily basis.

Overseeing the day’s events were Stratford Local 998 President Bill Hansen, Fairfield Local 1426 President Bob Smith and Westport Local 1081 representative Brett Kirby.

“Our goal for the day was to give each of the participants a better understanding of what we do, how labor intensive it is and why we need the number of fire fighters we need,” says Local 998 President Hansen. “I definitely believe we achieved that goal.”

Local 1081 member Kirby agreed, “Everything went off as it should. It was definitely a productive day.”

Participants this year included two Fairfield Board of Finance members, one Fairfield Town Council member, two Fairfield Fire Council members, three Westfield Board of Finance members, one Stratford City Council Member and Stratford’s Human Resources Director.

After suiting up in turnout gear, each participant was paired with a shadow fire fighter to ensure safety during each of the five evolutions, which included forcible entry/search and rescue, live burn, roof top operations/ventilation, vehicle extrication and a medical station.

“This was the best Fire Ops we have had,” says Local 1426 President Smith. “I think part of that is that word has gotten around from the other two successful Fire Ops we held.”

Past program participants were so impressed that several of them showed up to support this year’s event, including: U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), State Representative Kim Fawcett and Stratford Mayor John Harkins.

But, perhaps the biggest highlight of the day was when the presidential helicopter – Marine One – did a flyover.

The event was covered by one local television station and several area newspapers.