Crisco hails funds to rebuild Valley fire training school

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today welcomed news of imminent state funding to advance the process that will eventually rebuild a Naugatuck Valley Regional Fire Training School. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has scheduled a special meeting of the State Bond Commission at which funding for hazardous materials remediation will be allocated,  Crisco said.

More specifically, $1.5 million is expected to be approved for site clean-up as necessary at seven parcels designated for fire training schools, including the Naugatuck Valley site.

In 2010 Crisco helped secure funding for the purchase of land in Beacon Falls. That property will be the new home of the regional facility, replacing the former site in Derby, which was closed more than 10 years ago.

“No one is more sensitive to the state’s delicate fiscal condition than I am, but this investment in public safety preparedness will pay for itself in terms of readiness for fire departments throughout the region, and in terms of a recruitment tool for future firefighters,” Crisco said. 
“I’m delighted by the prospects for this funding and I’m grateful to Governor Malloy for including this item on the agenda for next week’s special meeting.”

Crisco said nine area towns – Ansonia, Seymour, Shelton, Derby, Orange, Woodbridge, Oxford, Beacon Falls, and Bethany – will eventually send firefighters to the Valley Regional Fire Training School on the property in Beacon Falls.

“I know I echo the sentiments of firefighters throughout the region with appreciation for all those who have joined me in these efforts toward a new, permanent home for the Valley Regional Fire Training School,” Crisco said. “For more than 10 years local firefighters have had to keep current with firefighting techniques and equipment by traveling statewide for the necessary instruction and training.”

“And the benefits of this new training facility won’t be limited to firefighters and fire departments, because every single resident and property owner in the affected towns will benefit in terms of increased public safety and improved preparedness for firefighters.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.