On Wednesday evening, Danielson voters approved a $64,000 funding measure to equip the Danielson Fire Department with new protective gear. The money will cover 15 complete gear sets, which Fire Chief Keven McNeill says should be in service by Thanksgiving.

Funding approved after a public hearing

The borough’s public hearing drew strong community support, and the vote passed unanimously. The funding resolves a recent dispute that left the department operating under a modified directive for several weeks. McNeill explained that the lack of usable gear forced the department to limit staffing on fire engines, prompting a nine‑day pause in full fire services.

“We’re moving in the right direction. We need the gear to function as a fire department,” McNeill said after the vote.

Impact on operations

Under the current modified directive, the department can staff an engine only with firefighters who have usable gear and must coordinate with neighboring departments for additional support. With the new equipment, the department expects to lift that restriction, allowing full staffing of trucks and faster response times.

“So far, we’ve been able to staff the trucks appropriately according to the directive that I gave a while back, so we are doing what needs to be done,” McNeill added.

Community voices

Local resident Christina Ormerod, who uses a motorized wheelchair, praised the decision. “It’s very important to support and help the people that we depend on for our safety,” she said. Ormerod highlighted the critical minutes a fire response can mean for her family.

“If there was ever a fire at my residence, those six or seven minutes are crucial to my life and my children’s life,” she explained. She urged that firefighters have the proper equipment to protect the community.

“If they don’t have the gear they need now to do so, they’re not going to be able to save people’s lives,” Ormerod warned. She believes the new gear will help the department grow and flourish.

Volunteer fire departments in Connecticut

Danielson’s fire department is part of a broader network of volunteer‑staffed fire services across Connecticut. State data cited in the department’s presentation shows that roughly 60% of the state’s 300 fire departments rely on volunteers, with more than 8,300 volunteer firefighters serving communities statewide.

The approval of this funding measure underscores the community’s commitment to its volunteers and highlights the importance of local investment in public safety infrastructure.

Looking ahead

Chief McNeill expects the new gear to arrive before the holiday season, allowing the department to fully resume normal operations and continue its mission of protecting Danielson residents.

“The taxpayers spoke tonight and I think they, by voting it in, say that they care about their firefighters and that just reinforces our commitment to the community,” McNeill concluded.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.