New Haven Independent

Grant reiterated the necessity of seat belts at the monthly meeting of the Fire Commission on Tuesday.

“Good safety precautions while operating motor vehicles is paramount,” he said.

Safety remained the focus of the meeting. Chief Grant briefed the commission on an accident that occurred with one of the department’s emergency vehicles early Saturday, May 26, at the corner of Forbes and Woodward Avenues. Firemen John Truhart and Anthony Bolden were responding to a call when a car drove through a red light and struck their vehicle. The emergency vehicle was “totaled.” All three suffered minor injuries and both Truhart and Bolden are back on the job.

For now, the department is using a reserve emergency vehicle and waiting on the driver of the car’s insurance to determine how the vehicle will be replaced.

Also announced at the meeting was the aquisition of two new firetrucks. Chief Grant said they should arrive within a week and will replace engines 15 and 17, which will then be used for reserve purposes only, much like the emergency vehicle that is now being used as a replacement.

The police and fire dispatch centers were consolidated Tuesday morning and are now both located at 1 Union Ave., said Grant.

“One hundred ten fire fighters are killed in the U.S. annually,” said Grant, a somber reminder that those who save others are also at risk.