Conn. Dept. Defends Use of Fire Vehicles

MANSFIELD - Amidst concerns regarding the use of fire department vehicles, Mansfield Fire Department Chief David Dagon defended the practices of his firefighters before the town council earlier this week.

Resident Ric Hossack raised concerns about the use of fire department vehicles at a town council meeting Jan. 14.

The issue was discussed again during the town council meeting Monday.

Hossack, who has been labeled as a "firestalker" because he follows fire department vehicles around town to see how they are being used, said he felt many of the vehicles were being used for personal reasons.

Those allegations were denied Monday.

"I have a very disciplined group of firefighters," Dagon said.

The perception that they are using the fire department vehicles for personal reasons, he said, is "inaccurate."

The Mansfield Fire Department is comprised of 12 full-time firefighters and 14 parttime firefighters.

The department was dispatched to 2,013 calls last year.

At the Jan. 14 meeting, Hossack claimed he had seen one of the vehicles traveling to Red Rock Café Restaurant on 591 Middle Turnpike for a meal.

Firefighters are expected to bring their meals with them when they are on duty, however, there are situations where that may not be possible, fire officials said.

For example, the department has an EMS duty crew program that enables volunteer firefighters and EMTs to staff crews for service.

"We will certainly accommodate them if theyneed to get something to eat," said Dagon.

Dagon also addressed other concerns regarding the department, namely two accidents that recently damaged fire department vehicles.

At the recent council meeting, Hossack referred to two accidents involving fire department vehicles, both of which are under investigation, according to Dagon.

The first occurred in December, when a fire truck driven by Gerald Schaffer, a longtime member of the department, crashed and overturned while he was driving on Clover Mill Road.

The damage to that vehicle was extensive and the fire department is working with its insurance company to get a settlement. That vehicle, a 2004 engine, will need to be replaced.

Schaffer was treated at Windham Community Memorial Hospital and later released.

The investigation of that incident, Dagon said, is "ongoing."

"We have not received an official report on that" from police, he said.

The second accident occurred Jan. 3 when Mansfield firefighters were en route to a training exercise at Storrs Center.

A car was broken down in the vicinity of the intersection of Hanks Hill Road, Flaherty Road and Route 195, when an ambulance and fire apparatus were there.

When they noticed the car, fire apparatus went to pull over to assist.

That's when a car turned out into the road suddenly and the fire apparatus braked, causing the ambulance behind it to crash into it.

There were three people in the ambulance who got evaluated at the hospital and released.

That accident is also under investigation, butDagon did note that the driver of the ambulance got a citation for failing to maintain a reasonable distance.

Dagon noted the department has a good record with respect to accidents.

"Accidents are unfortunate. We are embarrassed, but we will recover and move on," he said.

Dagon noted all firefighters are trained to use every apparatus.

Councilor David Freudmann asked why the vehicles are being driven to training exercises, such as the one at Storrs Center, rather than the fire officials using their own vehicles.

"We don't separate our firefighters from their apparatus," said Dagon, noting a firefighter might have to respond to a call straight from the exercise.

Another concern of Hossack's was he had seen firefighters working out during the day at the community center when they should be at work.

Dagon noted that, as part of the department's voluntary fitness program, firefighters sometimes work out at the community center, however, they do so during non-working hours.

As part of that requirement, to get a free membership, they must work out 15 times a month to maintain that free membership.

Dagon said the department sometimes responds to calls at the community center during their working hours.

The fitness program is related to the department's mandatory wellness program, in which firefighters are required to have an annual physical exam with certain health standards set by a doctor. "If they don't comply, there are ramifications. They need to stay fit in order to do their job," said Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart.

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