Chair of the Commerce Committee, Representative Jeff Berger (D-Waterbury) today praised a decision by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to include $26.2 million in his proposed midterm budget adjustments that will be used for renovations and improvements to five regional fire training schools that are in dire need of modernization. The schools provide training and education to firefighter trainees and other first responders.
“The Waterbury Fire Department will benefit greatly from the fire training school in Cheshire,” Rep. Berger said. “These fire schools will provide our firefighters with the necessary tools to meet their demanding and dangerous profession and the public will ultimately be the main beneficiaries of training.”
In 1999 the Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) launched a long-term construction plan to upgrade seven of Connecticut’s regional fire schools. To date, work at the New Haven school has been completed and work has begun on the Hartford County fire school in Windsor Locks. The other five projects are:
•Eastern Connecticut regional fire school (Willimantic)
•Fairfield regional fire school
•Burrville regional fire school (Torrington)
•Naugatuck Valley regional fire school (Beacon Falls)
•Waterbury area Wolcott regional fire school (Cheshire)
According to the CSFA there are about 26,000 firefighters in Connecticut. About 4000 are professional firefighters and more than 22,000 are volunteers.
Rep. Berger serves the 73rd General Assembly District and is currently in his fourth term. He is Chairman of the Commerce Committee and serves on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding and the Judiciary Committee.