Derby prioritizing fire safety in city

In my capacity as the Derby fire commissioner for the first 21 months of Mayor Dziekan’s term, capital improvements netted more than $815,000 in safety equipment and infrastructure upgrades for the brave men and women of the Derby Fire Department.

In 2018 alone, 52 sets of structural firefighting gear were purchased to replace gear that was outdated and at the end of its useful service life. Also in 2018, 110 personal alert safety devices replaced a nearly 20yearold accountability system to protect our volunteer firefighters in a dangerous environment.

In 2019, 48 new portable radios were purchased to replace 21yearold radios that were not sufficient for public safety purposes. These new radios allow our members to communicate better with other public safety agencies both in the city and in surrounding towns during emergencies. They also include a “member down” alarm feature, allowing our firefighters to call for help quicker than ever before.

In the immediate future, the city will be ordering 21 new SCBA Scott Air Packs to replace outofdate packs. This effectively puts 21 more firefighters in the fight during an emergency.

Finally, after years of neglect and small repairs, the city has invested new roofs at both Paugassett’s and The Storm’s Engine Co.

Upon his election in 2017, Mayor

Dziekan and his staff promised to make the safety of our volunteer firefighters a priority and subsequently backed this pledge with funding and equipment to keep the DFD on the cutting edge. This allows our fire department the ability to better serve the citizens of Derby. On Nov. 5, please keep the positive momentum going and vote to reelect Rich Dziekan.

Jim Petrino Derby fire commissioner