IN YOUR TOWN
What’s going on in your neighborhood
WESTPORT 1 Grant to go toward lifesaving equipment
The Westport Fire Department was recently granted $ 28,814 in federal funding to outfit its firefighters with additional life- saving equipment, officials said.
The department plans to use the money for personal escape systems for all fire personnel.
A personal escape system is essential gear for a firefighter that consists of an anchoring hook, a descent device, life safety rope or webbing, a carabiner and a storage or deployment bag, said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Meadows.
“These equipment purchased with this grant will provide our firefighters with a rapid and effective means of egress should they become trapped by fire and need to bail out of a window,” Meadows said.
He said countless firefighters have died from jumping out a window without a personal escape system.
But the system serves a dual purpose; it can also be used to lower a victim to safety.
“For the last 20 years, our firefighters were issued a length of rope and a carabiner for this purpose which has proven an unrealistic option during an emergency,” Meadows said.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
ANSONIA 1 Free smoke detectors available through ARMS
Residents without working smoke detectors in their homes are urged to reach out to Ansonia Rescue and Medical Services immediately.
ARMS posted on Facebook that those without a working smoke detector should comment on the most recent post on the page or send a private message, and the agency will bring the resident a free, working smoke detector.
“We strive to keep our residents safe, and a working smoke detector is so critically important,” officials said.
But since ARMS doesn’t have an unlimited supply, they ask only residents with a serious need for one to reach out.
The Facebook page can be found at http:// bit. ly/ 2MwUy3P.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
NEWTOWN 1 Ukrainian Festival has food, music and dancing
Celebrate Ukrainian culture at the Ukrainian Festi- val this Sunday in Newtown.
The celebration kicks off at 11 a. m. at 25 Sugar Lane off Route 302. There will be Ukrainian and picnic- style food available at the event.
There will be a program including Ukrainian song and dances at 2 p. m., raffles at 3 p. m. and a zabava — or Ukrainian party — at 3: 30 p. m.
There will also be hayrides, pony rides, volleyball, a horseshoe tournament and a pyrogy eating contest.
The event is open to the public. There will be free, off- street parking. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.
It is sponsored by the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Call 203- 2695909 or 203- 426- 5487, or email castlehillfarm. net with any questions.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
BRIDGEPORT 1 Dog park set to open Tuesday behind City Hall
Residents and furry friends alike are invited to join city officials at the ribbon cutting for a dog park on Tuesday.
The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 a. m. at 45 Lyon Terrace, behind City Hall.
Mayor Joe Ganim, elected officials and dogs from the city’s animal control facility will be at the opening of Wheeler Dog Park.
The ceremony is expected to last until around noon.
Questions can be directed to the planner, Jacob Robison, at 203- 576- 7269.
FAIRFIELD 1 Author and former magazine editor to speak
On Thursday at 7 p. m., Charles Monagan will speak at the Fairfield Museum, 370 Beach Road.
As editor of Connecticut Magazine from 1989- 2013, Monagan spent years discovering and describing the people, places and things that make up the character of his home state.
In 2000, he began writing a “Connecticut Icons” page every month in the magazine. A collection was published in 2006 and reissued in 2017 with updates. Monagan will present an entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes, and little- known facts, about things he loves in Connecticut— from the hot lobster roll to the Yale Bowl, the U. S. S. Nautilus to the Merritt Parkway.
A reception will be held at 6: 30pm. It’s free for museum members; with a $ 5 suggested donation for non- members.