Connecticut Volunteer Fire Department Shuts Down

Today June 5 '26 the City of Norwich closed down the Taftville Volunteer Fire Department under a court order by a judge.

City of Norwich career firefighters from Engine 3, a Lt and two firefighters have been relocated from Norwich Fire Headquarters to that firehouse.
Each shift will have a Lt and two firefighters stationed there.
Norwich Squad A will now also cover Engine 3's west side area plus Squad A's central city area.

The Occum and Laurel Hill fire stations will remain open
However, Engine 3 will respond on all calls with the Occum FD
Norwich Engine 2 will respond on all calls with the Laurel Hill FD

The city owns the Taftville Fire Station, but the city does not own the Occum or Laurel Hill FD buildings.
 
I recently visited the Taftville Fire Station where Norwich Fire Department Engine 3 with a Lt and two Norwich career firefighters are now covering each shift 24/7.

People in the neighborhood have been coming in and asking the guys questions, and it seems the residents are accepting the move more now in a positive way.

One woman came in very concerned about the change but after talking to the on-duty crew she felt much better.
She then told them that she was the one who posted several signs on a fence against this change
But when she left the firehouse, she removed all of those signs from that fence.
 
On Friday July 31, '26 the judge heard the case presented from both sides.

The City - vs - Four of the five volunteer fire departments in Norwich (Yantic, Taftville, Occum and Laurel Hill FDs).

The City Manager and City Fire Chief presented their case on the unified command system, one budget, one department leader (Chief)
They presented the case of the Stamford (Ct) Fire Department when it went from one city fire department and five independently operated volunteer fire departments to one department with one budget

The volunteer fire departments are quoting the city charter which allows each department to operate independently
But of the four volunteer departments only 3 members showed up from two of the four departments.

Each side has an attorney representing them.

I believe the judge will be making a decision then an appeal can be filed by either side if necessary
 
On Monday August 3, '26 an unruly audience was kicked out of a Norwich City Council meeting regarding this volunteer fire department issue.

One council member said "the paid fire department has to cover the Taftville and Yantic Districts where fire departments currently are not operating, despite being offered agreements to come back.
He also said; "if you want to be angry with somebody, be angry with the people who refuse to come back".

That is when the people got angry and out of order and the mayor had to close the meeting down.
Upset people refused to leave and that is when the police were called in to clear city hall.
 
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