Fairfield officials credit cleared hydrant and crew preparedness after multiple winter fires

At a Fairfield Fire Commission meeting, fire department representatives reported three fires this month and credited a cleared hydrant and coordinated crew work for limiting damage during a severe Figler Avenue structure fire. "With the snow on that road, it's a little bit narrower ... they had to hand stretch back to that hydrant," Speaker 5 said, describing how crews cleared the hydrant and stretched hose lines in heavy snow.

The department said the Figler Island incident occurred in near-freezing temperatures with about a foot and a half of snow on the ground, and that crews established interior operations and command functions despite difficult road conditions. "We're seeing an increase in inspections, increases in plan reviews, and more public fire prevention activity," Speaker 4 told commissioners while outlining the department's prevention and training work.

Officials emphasized resident actions that aided the response. Speaker 5 urged residents to keep hydrants near their properties clear and suggested follow-up public messaging: "Please shovel out your hydrants," he said. Speaker 2 recommended a social-media post highlighting the cleared hydrant and the department's effective response to encourage similar resident action.

The commission also heard updates on training and equipment. Speaker 4 said many members are completing EMT refresher training and pursuing advanced courses such as fire officer and rope-rescue programs; the department recently visited an out-of-state apparatus to evaluate potential purchases. Speaker 5 reported PPE distribution had resumed after a vendor supplied incorrect boots that were replaced, and Assistant Chief Cronin provided report-writing instruction for new officers.

Maintenance and facility issues were discussed as operational priorities. Speaker 5 reported that half of Station 1's men's room fixtures (urinals) are no longer functional and that the pipes run through apparatus-floor walls, requiring DPW coordination to repair. Septic work for another facility was said to be slated to begin once weather permits.

The commission recorded resident thank-you letters for recent responses and discussed continuing community outreach such as a poster contest and upcoming hiring and interviews for new firefighters. Meeting leaders said they will keep preparedness, hydrant clearance and station repairs on future agendas.

The commission adjourned after routine procedural votes.