North Haven Firefighters Implement Response Changes

NORTH HAVEN, CT — In the ongoing effort to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the North Haven Fire Department is implementing some changes in how firefighters respond to some incidents.

“Rest assured, we will continue to immediately respond to all emergency calls,” the fire department wrote in a post on Facebook. “Firefighters may deal with some non-emergency calls by phone, at least for the initial contact. The North Haven Emergency 911 Dispatch Center has implemented a screening process to ask callers requesting the assistance of police or fire resources additional questions in order to prepare and advise responding personnel. Some matters may be able to be resolved without a firefighter physically responding.”

Read more from the fire department below:

In cases where a firefighter needs to respond in person, he/she may request the occupant of a home or patient to step outdoors if physically able to do so, and will practice the recommended “social distancing” by not shaking hands, and by maintaining their distance, staying five or six feet away. Please be forewarned, we may be wearing a mask or wearing our SCBA’s which we ask that you not take any offense to. Chances are that most first responders will become carriers of this virus and we certainly want to take every possible step to not infect you or your loved ones. Please understand that this is not meant to be disrespectful or unfriendly, it’s only a precaution to help ensure your health and ours.

We encourage you to call, rather than to come to the fire station for most matters. The best phone number to reach us at is 203-239-5434 Ext 100. In person inquiries and business needs at the station will be handled through the window in the lobby whenever possible. All building permits will continue to be processed and all-time sensitive inspections will continue to occur.

The department is coordinating with our Police Department, the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, our local medical control physician(s), area hospitals and other local government officials. We will provide appropriate updates and news on our website, and on our facebook page. There is a lot of false and sometimes dangerous misinformation about the virus. We encourage you to get the latest news and accurate information from Connecticut’s Official State Website here, the U.S. Center for Disease Control here and the QVHD here.

These temporary procedures are just intended to limit the chances for the virus to spread, and are an extension of our commitment to have a safe, and a healthy community.

Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.

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