Volunteer firefighters and commission press for clearer charter language on qualifications and safety standards
February 13, 2026 | New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut
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New Canaan — Alex Snyder, a volunteer firefighter and treasurer of New Canaan Fire Company No. 1, told the Charter Revision Commission that certain fire commission clauses could be clearer about staggered terms, qualification definitions and safety standards.
Snyder flagged wording that "appoint 1 member… who after qualification shall hold office for a term of 3 years," calling the phrasing confusing and suggesting an explicit reference to the commission’s staggered terms and to the fire company’s constitution and bylaws for volunteer qualification rules.
On safety, Snyder recommended changing a federal-OSHA reference to read instead "Connecticut OSHA regulations, to the extent applicable," to reflect state-level enforcement and to ensure volunteers receive required protective equipment.
Why it matters: Commissioners and fire-company representatives agreed that preserving the volunteer component and clarifying the charter’s language will reduce ambiguity in appointments and safety obligations.
Quoted: "On 1 level, it's an oxymoron," Snyder said of annually appointing a member to a three-year term and suggested adding explicit cross-references to the qualification criteria in the charter.
End note: Snyder offered to submit proposed language from the fire company’s constitution and bylaws; commissioners requested that counsel and staff incorporate the suggested clarifications into the draft charter.
Snyder flagged wording that "appoint 1 member… who after qualification shall hold office for a term of 3 years," calling the phrasing confusing and suggesting an explicit reference to the commission’s staggered terms and to the fire company’s constitution and bylaws for volunteer qualification rules.
On safety, Snyder recommended changing a federal-OSHA reference to read instead "Connecticut OSHA regulations, to the extent applicable," to reflect state-level enforcement and to ensure volunteers receive required protective equipment.
Why it matters: Commissioners and fire-company representatives agreed that preserving the volunteer component and clarifying the charter’s language will reduce ambiguity in appointments and safety obligations.
Quoted: "On 1 level, it's an oxymoron," Snyder said of annually appointing a member to a three-year term and suggested adding explicit cross-references to the qualification criteria in the charter.
End note: Snyder offered to submit proposed language from the fire company’s constitution and bylaws; commissioners requested that counsel and staff incorporate the suggested clarifications into the draft charter.
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