February 14, 2013

Rep. Case encourages State Bonding Commission to invest in Torrington-Burrville Fire School

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HARTFORD – Members of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and its Education Committee assembled at the Legislative Office Building on Wednesday, allowing state delegates to better understand the difficulties facing fire training schools like the Torrington-Burrville locale.

Although state governing officials previously allotted $54.4 million since 2001, only $11,877,672 has been distributed to the different fire training schools, including a 2008 and 2010 investment into the Burrville Fire Training School, located in Torrington. Now, the school, which has recently fallen into a much-needed state of repair, is second or third in line for additional funds sitting in state coffers.

“The state Bonding Commission is hanging onto more than $42 million that has already been authorized for fire training school improvements,” State Rep. Jay Case (R-63) said Wednesday. “The money is there, but it just needs to be released so places like the Burrville Fire Training School can improve infrastructure. I’m asking fellow legislators to join with me in requesting the Bonding Commission to release these funds.

“Firefighters in Colebrook, Goshen, Torrington and Winchester can use this facility, but because it needs major improvements, can’t access the newest technology in fire training. Our first responders are some of the best and we want that to continue,” Rep. Case added.

Burrville Fire Training School Director Richard Winn, the Battalion Chief of West Hartford Fire Department, met with Rep. Case following the discussion. “The state is sitting on this money,” he said. “We’re asking the legislators to put some pressure on the Bonding Commission so we can get these projects going. Torrington’s Burrville Fire Training School deserves better.”

Since the first allotment of bond funding was approved for rebuilding fire schools in 2004, the Burrville Fire Training School received part of a $150,000 distribution to develop a Design Build program and request for proposals (RFPs) in August 2008; then, in July 2010, it split a $250,000 investment for additional development resources.

Connecticut’s Bonding Commission operates under the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), under the Governor’s appointment. In February 2012, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy authorized a $26.2 million proposal for fire training schools, but in November, as part of his rare funding-rescinding, Gov. Malloy asked for a chunk of it back.

Because the $42,522,628 has already been authorized by Gov. Malloy and previous legislatures, none of it can be altered by the governor – or the General Assembly’s – budget proposals.

The Education Committee of the State Firefighters Association is made up of representatives from the Regional Fire Schools, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, the Connecticut Fire Academy and the State Firefighters Association. The committee is organized in a collaborative effort to support firefighters in Connecticut, while promoting the regional fire schools, supporting quality fire training, developing and promoting plans for school capital improvements and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas relating to firefighter training.