Torrington board of public safety advances plan to boost east side fire response times

A plan to improve fire response times on Torrington’s east side is moving forward after the Board of Public Safety approved funding for additional staffing Wednesday.

In a 5-2 vote, the board approved a request from Fire Chief David Tripp Jr. for $365,000 to staff the former Torringford Volunteer Fire Station, which closed last year. Tripp said he aims to create a three-person crew by hiring two new firefighters and reassigning another.

The move is intended to address response times in the east side of Torrington, which currently range from eight to 12 minutes. Tripp said having a dedicated crew in the area could significantly reduce those times, citing a fire his firefighters responded to back in October.

“I really feel that if we had an eastside engine there for that fire, it would have made a difference,” Tripp said.

The plan received strong public support during the meeting, with residents emphasizing the importance of faster emergency response.

“Public safety should be of the utmost importance, and you are all elected as officials to do the work for the voices of the people,” said Karen Thomas, a Torrington resident.

Neighbors said a staffed fire station would provide reassurance during emergencies.

“Peace of mind. I get out, get safe and know that they would be there to do what they do best,” said Marilyn Alduini Plaskiewicz.

Despite the support, some board members raised concerns about the financial impact. Commissioner Doug Benedetto, who voted against the measure, said he supports improving coverage but questioned how the city would pay for it.

“We can’t put any more burden on the taxpayers in this city without businesses coming to town,” Benedetto said.

For many residents on the east side, the vote marked a step toward equal service across the city.

“Don’t forget the east end. We’re just as much a part of Torrington as the north end and the south end and the west end,” Alduini Plaskiewicz said.

The proposed fire department budget now heads to the Torrington City Council, which is expected to take it up on May 18.

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