Fire chief doesn’t need second guessing

I would like to state facts about the fire at Mossberg Firearms in North Haven. This incident originated as a fire alarm, a type of call that some people in this town have downplayed and questioned the need for adequate responses from the fire department. While en route to scene, multiple 911 calls came in. The incident was then upgraded to structure fire response, dispatching additional apparatus to the scene.

Engine 9 (Montowese), which was recently decided to staff with career firefighters, arrived simultaneously with Engine 1. Both engines arriving on scene within seconds of one another allowed an aggressive attack to occur ultimately saving lives, property and jobs at a company in North Haven that has been in existence for decades. Fire was showing through the roof, which required one engine to immediately combat the fire; truck and rescue to conduct a search and ladder the roof while a second engine established water supply, which is imperative to ensuring safe and efficient operations. Considering the type of building, hazardous materials present and potential for significant fire spread, a second engine arriving on scene so fast made a significant difference to the overall outcome of this incident.

This was made possible because of our fire chief, Paul Januszewski, his foresight and majority of fire commissioners. Chief Januszewski saw a need for a second full-time staffed firehouse (Montowese) and the immediate need for a second tier of officers and captains; he went and fought to get it done; now it’s a success. That’s why when the chief speaks everyone should listen.

The overall importance of this letter is to prove that we have an experienced chief and this is proof of his experience and we don’t need critics second-guessing and undermining him. God bless our Fire Department.

Peter Criscuolo, Jr.

North Haven Former Fire Commissioner