The Southington Fire Commission voted to increase the fire department’s budget after recent budget cuts and staffing issues raised concerns about safety, WTNH reports.
This decision follows a critical incident last week when two firefighters issued a Mayday call while battling a stubborn house fire on Howard Avenue after firefighters got disoriented in a smoke-filled basement.
The firefighters’ union has long advocated for increased funding, citing Southington’s growth over the past two decades while the fire department’s budget has stayed level.
The Fire Commission’s decision includes plans to replace retiring firefighters, add four new positions, and bolster shift coverage across the town. The commission considered and rejected options that included staff cuts and a firehouse closure.
The Fire Commission’s funding increase, which amounts to just about a 1 percent budget increase, must now go before the Town Council.
