Mighty New Fire Engine Arrives

The fatal fire on Saltonstall Ave last week happened at a house that had been inspected by LCI in November. No telling when and if it had been inspected by the Fire Department.

The mayor and the Fire Department should be as enthusiastic about preventing fires by holding slumlords accountable for unsafe conditions as they are about a "new toy," as the mayor's communications director called this engine. We should be investing in that, too. We need more resources for code enforcement.

It's a bit ignorant to refer to it as a " new toy". I would think it's pretty essential to have a reliable pump to get water to extinguish the hydrant. The department is years behind in purchasing new equipment

alex: Why do you blame unsafe conditions for the Saltonstall fire and death? I have yet to hear any cause for either the fire or the death. Yes, there could be code violations. Or it could be someone fell asleep or passed out while smoking in bed. My fire chief tells me smoking in bed is the leading cause of fires in my town.

Looks like a very heavy Engine 15. The apparatus floor was rebuilt in the late 70's or early 80's. It prevented Engine 15 and Truck 5 from falling in the basement. Years ago the plan was a new station at West Rock & Whalley Av. It would have been destroyed in the flood of 1982. I know this station is historic but it can't be that efficient cost wise. Great idea of carrying more water because some of the streets below West Rock are obviously fed only one way. Some streets in upper Westville have the greatest distances between hydrants. The extra water can make or break a fire.

I am not diagnosing a fire that occurred one week ago; however, 1644, you need not look back far to find fires that were caused by unsafe conditions, like West Street last year.

I think it's great that the rank and file have newer, better, safer equipment. They deserve the best resources available. This is a good use of tax dollars.

I see lots of VIPs in the photo. I wonder if they had a chance to discuss the 2019 MOU and NHFD contract - the contract that was the penultimate fleecing of the New Haven taxpayers. The contracts promised 'millions in savings' but instead has cost the city millions. The Harp administration negotiated and signed the agreement in secret in a last minute attempt to win over the political endorsement of the once powerful nhfd union. The contract sold out the taxpayers and provided a $400,000 annuity to Union President Ricci.

2 years into a 6 year contract, the city still refuses to provide the spreadsheets and support that presumed 'millions in savings', but instead has cost millions. No transparency. As unconscionable as this is, it pales in comparison to the Pension Ponzi Scheme being perpetuated on the youngest ,newest members of the nhfd. You see the pension fund is woefully underfunded (40%) and the 7.75 % discount rate assumed in the ARC (actuarily required contribution) is too high by AT LEAST 1.00%, which means each year the city is contributing to the fund AT LEAST $12 million less than it should be. It's the dirty secret nobody wants to talk about - least of all Mssr Ricci and current Union leaders. The youngest members are paying into a pension that will hand Mssr Ricci a $400,000 annuity plus another $3 million - $4 million in pension payments over his lifetime. The reality is the fund will be bankrupt by the time the newest members retire. There simply is not $3 - $4 million for each of the 320 members. Don't believe me? Look at the fund and ask the union how the city will be able to pay you. And when they answer, just remember the people you are speaking with are the same ones who said the contract would save the city millions. And remember, there's only 1 way to keep a Ponzi Scheme going.