Connecticut Volunteer Fire Department Shuts Down

[Signal73]

Historic volunteer fire department abruptly shuts down after contract dispute with city

The City of Norwich has announced that they will be implementing a temporary operational adjustment to fire service coverage in the Yantic area following the abrupt shutdown of the volunteer fire department on Tuesday morning.

www.wfsb.com

 

[nfd2004]

I live in this city.
I was a career firefighter in that city.
Of course I have friends within the career as well as the volunteer department.
But the safety of the citizens comes first.

 

[entropychaser]

I live in this city.
I was a career firefighter in that city.
Of course I have friends within the career as well as the volunteer department.
But the safety of the citizens comes first.

Of course...Tell us who has the axe to grind that's more important?

 

[CFDMarshal]

Looks like you lost your first due Willy!

 

[nfd2004]

Looks like you lost your first due Willy!

Rev, I thought the Yantic FD was first due at my house - but - a recent incident near my house brought the Occum Vol Fire dept to respond.
Then I checked and confirmed that.

 

[Capttomo]

It seems that monthly, around the country, volunteer departments are being shut down, or going out of business, or merging with other volunteer departments in an attempt to stay afloat, or transitioning to paid departments. The volunteer fire service in America continues to shrink.

 

[OldGoat]

There's a whole lot of what wasn't said that needs to brought out in the open. Wondering whose wallet just became fatter and heavier.

 

[patrickfd]

 

[nfd2004]

Thank you Pat (patrickfd), I was going to post that but you beat me to it.

However, I do have additional information to add.

Today Feb 11, '26 according to a local newspaper (The DAY) the headlines reads:
"Norwich repossesses fire trucks from Yantic volunteer fire department"

This happened around 1:40 pm today.
The Yantic Fire Apparatus, 3 Engines, 1 Rescue and 1 smaller Squad unit was parked outside the firehouse an hour before in anticipation of the removal.
The Norwich Fire Chief, with police and several public works employees removed all of the apparatus from the Yantic Firehouse.

 

[Darrell]

"Norwich repossesses fire trucks from Yantic volunteer fire department"

Are the apparatus owned by the City and operated by the Volunteers?

 

[Darrell]

Something else, to the people who are from the area, have response times changed? Usually when firehouses close, response times increase.

 

[ExChief-551]

Are the apparatus owned by the City and operated by the Volunteers?

According to the video, yes the city owns them and gives them budget money.

 

[ExChief-551]

Something else, to the people who are from the area, have response times changed? Usually when firehouses close, response times increase.

The video claims response times have gone down with the career members handling calls and an additional Engine now staffed.

 

[kidfrmqns]

Just from looking at Yantic's Facebook page they seemed to have been a thriving volunteer department, answering over 700 calls last year. There must be more to this story.

 

[nfd2004]

Just from looking at Yantic's Facebook page they seemed to have been a thriving volunteer department, answering over 700 calls last year. There must be more to this story.

The video in reply # 8 explains the story.

It involves the command system.

There was an incident recently in which disagreements took place on the fireground.

Actually, the busiest of the five volunteer departments (East Great Plains FD) has already signed and agreed to this unified command system.

 

[DMA341]

Hard to say exactly what’s going on and who’s right without some insider info. Chief seems decent but I’ve never seen him run a fire. City manager is a complete disaster and severely unprofessional.