House Republican Press Release

July 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. KLARIDES, SEN. CRISCO, REPS. GENTILE AND MILLER URGE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER TO MAKE VALLEY FIRE TRAINING SCHOOL A PRIORITY

HARTFORD - Representative Themis Klarides (R-Derby), Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) and Representatives Linda Gentile (D-Ansonia) and Lawrence Miller (R-Stratford-Shelton) met with Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Raeanne V. Curtis to discuss plans for a site in Beacon Falls to build the new Valley Fire Training School.  Representative Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) was also represented at the meeting by a member of his staff.

Originally there was a site in Oxford to build the facility but because of number unanticipated delays that property was sold.  Now another site is being considered in Beacon Falls.  The members of the delegation said they were pleased with the results of the meeting because Commissioner Curtis agreed to make the site selection and the construction of the fire training school a priority project. 

“As everyone knows, the services firefighters provide to the Connecticut and the rest of the country are invaluable and we need to do everything as a state to provide them with the necessary tools to allow them to do their job as best they can,” said Representative Klarides.

“This is an important public safety issue. The decision by Commissioner Curtis to consider the site selection and building the fire training school a priority in Beacon Falls in a step in the right direction,” said Senator Crisco.  “This facility is critically needed to train volunteer firefighters and to provide them with the necessary certification that will allow them to perform their duties in the region.”

“I’m very encouraged by the meeting with had with Commissioner Curtis and her staff.  It’s clear to me that they understand that this is an important public safety issue and just how important this is for our community,” said Representative Gentile.

“The new regional facility will provide the best possible training for new firefighters who will be serving with valley departments. They will be trained by top professional firefighters from around the state. We’ve been without a training school for a number of years and we hope Commissioner Curtis will make construction of this new facility one of her top priorities,” Representative Miller said.