Southington Firefighters Fear Proposed Cuts Could Hurt Fire Coverage

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Concerned about how proposed budget cuts will impact Southington's ability to fight fires and tend to accidents, the local firefighter union is asking for public support.

Southington Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2033 is asking for residents to attend the Southington Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the Southington Municipal Center, 200 N. Main St., Southington.

There, the board is expected to mull its budget request for 2025-26, with several cuts and staff reassignments in the early stages of discussion, according to Local 2033.

"Come out to support us and speak in opposition to any reduction of your fire protection," wrote the union for the hybrid paid/volunteer department. "Your life and ours depend on it."

Right now, Local 2033 said the board is mulling over multiple options for the Southington Fire Department. They include:

• Maintain current staffing.

• Maintain 24/7 staffing at Southington Fire Headquarters and Station 5, but close Station 3 while new hires attend the CT Fire Academy in the spring and fall.

The union said this "effectively removes all protection in the Milldale area" as volunteer Co. 3 will be dissolved.

• Remove career staffing from fire headquarters and relocate Truck 1 and Car 4 to Station 3, leaving no career staffing in the center of town.

Local 2033 claims the two proposed changes would hurt coverage in town.

"Both of those options will increase response times and will greatly compound an already severe staffing crisis," wrote the union.