$35K cut sought for Derby school
Valley legislators submitted testimony to the general Assembly’s Appropriations Committee opposing proposed cuts to the state’s fire training schools.
Included in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s 2015-17 biennial budget proposal are cuts to the state’s nine fire training schools amounting to $743,899. The proposed cut to the Derby training school is $35,283.
“The Valley Fire Chiefs’ Regional Fire School in Derby provides vital training to first responders in Seymour, Beacon Falls and Derby,” state Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) said. “The training they receive in Derby prepares firefighters for real-life emergencies.”
“Five of the seven municipalities in my district are served solely by volunteer fire departments,” said state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge).
Valley legislators submitted testimony to the general Assembly’s Appropriations Committee opposing proposed cuts to the state’s fire training schools.
Included in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s 2015-17 biennial budget proposal are cuts to the state’s nine fire training schools amounting to $743,899. The proposed cut to the Derby training school is $35,283.
“The Valley Fire Chiefs’ Regional Fire School in Derby provides vital training to first responders in Seymour, Beacon Falls and Derby,” state Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) said. “The training they receive in Derby prepares firefighters for real-life emergencies.”
“Five of the seven municipalities in my district are served solely by volunteer fire departments,” said state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge).
“Many of our region’s firefighters have benefited from the essential training they received at the state's Fire Training Schools. It is critical we do whatever we can to support these schools and the lifesaving practices they impart.”
“Our front line responders are vital to our towns and cities,” state Rep. Themis Klarides (R-Woodbridge, Orange, Derby) said. “We cannot afford to compromise our public safety. The work done at these training facilities is critical to upgrading skills and maintaining certifications, work not replicated anywhere else in the state.’’
Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) said, “Our volunteer firefighters save our communities hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their work is vital to our public safety. We have an obligation to make sure that they are trained properly to not only prevent injury to themselves but to others.”
The funding provided to the schools in the state budget covers the operational costs of the regional fire schools. Instructors’ payroll, utility costs and facilities’ maintenance is covered by the state grant.
The proposed cuts would require the schools to increase tuition fees. For example, fees for the Firefighter I program would increase between 300 and 400 percent according to the Connecticut State Firefighters Association – The program, which costs today between $600 and $700, would jump to between $2,000 and $2,700 – a cost that would be borne by municipalities.
“Our front line responders are vital to our towns and cities,” state Rep. Themis Klarides (R-Woodbridge, Orange, Derby) said. “We cannot afford to compromise our public safety. The work done at these training facilities is critical to upgrading skills and maintaining certifications, work not replicated anywhere else in the state.’’
Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) said, “Our volunteer firefighters save our communities hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their work is vital to our public safety. We have an obligation to make sure that they are trained properly to not only prevent injury to themselves but to others.”
The funding provided to the schools in the state budget covers the operational costs of the regional fire schools. Instructors’ payroll, utility costs and facilities’ maintenance is covered by the state grant.
The proposed cuts would require the schools to increase tuition fees. For example, fees for the Firefighter I program would increase between 300 and 400 percent according to the Connecticut State Firefighters Association – The program, which costs today between $600 and $700, would jump to between $2,000 and $2,700 – a cost that would be borne by municipalities.
“Connecticut should be investing in firefighter training, not cutting it,” Conroy said.
“Emergency responders put themselves in the line of danger; we should stand by them.”
Testimony for the Appropriations Committee on the Governor’s Proposed Cuts for the State’s Fire Training Schools
Feb. 24, 2015
We are writing to members of the Joint Appropriations Committee regarding the proposed cuts contained in Gov. Malloy’s 2015-17 biennial budget to the state’s nine Fire Training Schools. Collectively, we represent the Naugatuck Valley towns and cities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls Seymour and Derby. The cuts for the nine training facilities amount to $743,899.
The proposed cut to the Derby training school is $35,283. On the surface, this specific loss of revenue may not seem like a huge cut in the overall spectrum of the state’s two-year, $40 billion budget. However, the effect of eliminating all state aid for our training sites represents a huge blow to Connecticut’s public safety.
Each year hundreds of firefighters and front line responders receive vital training at the schools and that has proved critical to maintaining and bolstering our emergency response efforts. These training regimens are not duplicated anywhere else in Connecticut. Our individual firefighting units rely heavily upon the facilities to upgrade the skills and certifications of their members.
We believe that the state should be putting more resources into the system, not less, and stand prepared to craft alternatives to the current budget proposal that would be acceptable compromises. Given the current fiscal status of our towns and cities and the uncertain outcomes of our local budget processes, we are concerned that there will not be sufficient municipal revenues to offset the loss of state funds.
Our local emergency responders sacrifice greatly to keep our communities safe; we should honor that commitment.
We urge you as members of the committee to consider an alternative path forward as the budget process unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
State Rep. Themis Klarides 114th District
State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco 17th District
State. Rep. Linda M. Gentile 104th District
State Rep. Theresa Conroy 105th District
This is a press release from CT House Democrats.
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