Fire Commission 05/19/2026

The North Haven Fire Commission held a meeting on May 19, 2026, which included a swearing-in ceremony for a new volunteer firefighter and approval of probationary members. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the fire department's budget challenges, particularly a projected deficit of approximately $200,000 due to unanticipated staffing impacts such as retirements, injuries, and resignations. The chief detailed the financial strain caused by replacement staffing costs and emphasized the need for future budget adjustments. The commission also discussed ongoing apparatus maintenance, fire hydrant inspections with some hydrants out of service, and community training programs. Additionally, the department highlighted the recent release of the 2025 FEMA SAFER and AFG grants aimed at staffing and fire prevention, noting the grant's cost-sharing requirements and tight application timeline. The commission considered updating outdated career firefighter rules and regulations and planned future recruitment and training events to address volunteer shortages.