Union president alleges town-hired investigator chased firefighter's family; commission asks HR to appear

The Fairfield Fire Commission on May 15 heard a detailed public statement from the union president of Local 1426 alleging that a town‑hired private investigator followed and chased his wife and her child on Interstate 95 on April 13, 2026 and that town officials delayed providing information to the family.

The union president told commissioners the investigator was pulled over by state troopers, was driving without a license, and that the town initially denied the incident and later refused to provide the investigator’s name or other information for a week. He said his wife, firefighter Caitlyn Pereira, has a head injury, was cleared for light-duty work by a neurologist, and has been denied return to duty, prompting a grievance that is among seven the union has filed and two municipal prohibitive practice complaints pending at the labor board.

“I’m standing here as a firefighter, union president, as a husband,” the union president said. “When I wrote this originally… my wife, firefighter Caitlyn Pereira, was driving on Interstate 95 with her 11‑year‑old daughter. She was followed. She was chased at a high rate of speed.” He added that when the family sought assistance from town human resources they were told, “If you feel scared, call 911.”

Commissioners pressed for clarity about who authorized the investigator and whether the town or its insurance administrator prompted the inquiry. The union president said he believes the town initiated the investigations and that his repeated requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act and in labor discovery have not produced timely answers. He accused town leadership of “stonewalling” and described the pattern as intimidation and retribution related to union and political activity.

In response, commissioners discussed practical options and agreed to take formal steps. A motion to request that human resources attend the commission’s next meeting — with the understanding that personnel matters could be moved into executive session that night if appropriate — passed unanimously. Commissioners said they expect HR or another town representative to explain the town’s use of outside investigators, what background checks or oversight were performed, and why disclosure to the family and the commission was delayed.

The commission did not resolve the grievances or produce new investigative findings at the meeting. No town HR representative spoke during the session. The union president said the incident remains the subject of grievances at the labor board and that a protective order hearing had occurred recently. He urged the commission to press the town for answers.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to invite HR to the next meeting and to determine before or at that meeting whether parts of the discussion should proceed in executive session because of personnel or privacy issues.