Lamont, Bysiewicz, Larson Visit Southington Fire Department

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

October 13, 2021

Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Congressman John Larson visited the Fire Department to announce a $1.2 million federal SAFER grant for the town, which will allow the local fire department to hire three career firefighters.

The governor, lieutenant governor and congressman were joined by Fire Chief James Paul, Town Council Chair Victoria Triano and Fire Commissioner Nathan Wilson, who expressed their gratitude for the grant. Also present were several local firefighters and town councilor Chris Palmieri.

Wilson began by welcoming the guests and thanking all department staff who worked “tirelessly” on the grant application. He also thanked the Town Council, Town Manager Mark Sciota and Larson for their support.

Paul said the hiring of the firefighters will cover a “critical shortage of volunteer firefighters” availability at Station 3. The firefighters will join the local department following 15 weeks at the Connecticut Fire Academy.

“Once their training is complete, it will allow our department to have a timely response,” he said.

Larson said he is honored to continue to work on behalf of firefighters across the state, noting his father was a firefighter.

“This grant is exactly what the doctor ordered in terms of keeping our community safe and moving forward together,” he said.

Lamont said he was glad to support firefighters and other first responders statewide, especially after the past year-and-a-half of the pandemic.

“We value the incredible work you do on behalf of the people of Connecticut,” he said.

Bysiewicz thanked Larson for his “support and dedication” to local firefighters and his “hard work” to secure the funding for the Southington Fire Department.

“There are not enough words to thank or express our gratitude for the service of the men and women of Southington who risk their safety and lives every day to serve their communities and keep them safe,” she said.

Triano also expressed her gratitude to the local firefighters and to Larson.

“I’ve been around a long time and it doesn’t matter who is in the chairman’s seat – Congressman Larson continues to consistently provide support for us here in Southington,” she said.

Triano thanked Lamont and Bysiewicz for coming to town for the special occasion of the grant announcement and to all who wrote the grant and secured its passage.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.