Consolidation Plan Saves UConn Health Fire Department

STORRS/FARMINGTON, CT — A consolidation plan announced Thursday essentially saves the UConn Health Fire Department while saving money.

University of Connecticut officials released the details of the plan while citing "internal and external financial pressures."

"UConn Health has decided to move to a more efficient model of fire service delivery," UConn officials said.

The initial decision to close the full-service fire department has been modified to one that retains "a fire department presence" at UConn Health with a number of changes, officials said.

The new model, effective July 1, will result in annual savings to UConn Health of more than $1 million, officials said.

Highlights of the plan include:

Consolidation of Fire Departments

• The two independent fire departments maintained by the University of Connecticut will fully consolidate personnel, management, equipment and operations. The consolidation will be permanent and headed by one fire Chief, based in Storrs.

Reduction of Full-Time Employees

• Staff will be reduced from 21 to 17 full-time employees. All currently filled bargaining unit positions will be retained. Core emergency services offered specifically on the campus of UConn Health will remain, namely, fire response, EMS response (Advanced Life Support transport), hazmat response, and command/control of any outside resources called in to assist.

• There will be a maximum staffing of four firefighters per shift. A division of the UConn Fire Department will be assigned to UConn Health with seventeen 17 union positions consisting of an administrative captain, and four platoons of four personnel each. Each platoon will be supervised by a lieutenant. There will be a minimum staffing of three firefighters per shift. Minimum staffing on a 24/7 basis at UConn Health will be one officer, one firefighter/paramedic, and one firefighter/EMT. In the event of minimal staffing, response to certain calls will be supplemented by the municipal fire department.

Change in Leadership Structure

• The UConn Health Fire Department will become a part of the UConn Fire Department and will be led by the fire Chief, based in Storrs. A duty officer system will ensure that a supervisory/command resource is available to respond or consult with the on-duty supervisors at either Storrs or UConn Health, 24/7.

Photo Credit: UConn Health