By Brian McCready
The New Haven Register
MILFORD, Conn. — Members of the Milford Professional Firefighters Local 944 have repeatedly blasted Chief Louis LaVecchia, saying morale is at an all- time low.
Firefighters questioned the chief’s decision to close an engine company, saying it will put the public and firefighters at risk, according to a survey compiled by the union.
The New Haven Register received the 28-page survey that 103 firefighters filled out last week. A total of 94 firefighters said they were “dissatisfied” with LaVecchia, who has led the department for 15 years, while just four members were satisfied, according to the survey. Five members abstained from voting.
LaVecchia is hoping to retire and then be rehired under a five- year contract that would allow the chief to collect his nearly $100,000 salary and $90,000 pension at the same time. The Board of Fire Commissioners has yet to vote on the proposal.
“Morale among the men on the floor is, in my opinion, at an all- time low,” one firefighter wrote. A majority of firefighters cited low morale.
Additionally, several firefighters wrote they believed LaVecchia managed solely for International Organization for Standardization (known as ISO) ratings, but the most scathing attack focused on the chief’s decision to close an engine company. Not one firefighter supported the decision.
The city is building a $4 million firehouse on New Haven Avenue and is scheduled to close Stations 5 and 6 on Kings Highway and Melba Street.
“This puts not only firefighters in danger, but the citizens as well,” one firefighter wrote.
Several firefighters said losing an engine company will lead to longer response times. Others said it could delay backups, but that firefighters would likely enter a burning building anyway, at risk to their lives, according to the survey.
“This will jeopardize the safety of the public as well as the safety of the crew working on the east side,” one firefighter wrote. “Backup resources will be delayed, seeing how they will be coming from downtown.”
“Is it going to take a firefighter fatality to explain all this to chief?” one firefighter asked.
Another firefighter said it’s possible fire crews could run out of water at some scenes because of the loss of an engine company.
LaVecchia said Monday the two fire stations covered only a small area, and left significant sections of the interior exposed. He said the new fire station will address coverage inadequacies.
The chief also said the new station will ensure a second rescue truck is staffed full time, while also beefing up personnel on the ladder truck.
LaVecchia said he does care about ISO ratings, but he defended his decisions as being based on “sound accreditation national principles.” He also said a lot of the union dissatisfaction likely stems from recent contract talks.
During Tropical Storm Irene, one firefighter said the chief took crews who were responding to calls off engines and sent them home at the peak of the storm when Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered no one to be on the roadways, the survey states.
“Some of the firefighters sent home had to drive through the peak of the storm to homes and neighborhoods that Chief LaVecchia had just evacuated,” the firefighter said.
Other firefighters said the chief is “dishonest,” “two-faced” and “untruthful.”
Several firefighters said LaVecchia is a “great person,” who will help anybody, but is a terrible chief.
“To rehire him as chief would reward him for failure. Instead of rehire, fire him. I would work for a chief that is respectable,” one firefighter wrote.
LaVecchia said he was not upset with criticism from firefighters, but he did blast anonymous commenters on the Register’s articles.
He said he is willing to address any item brought to his attention, but many of the posts are “derogatory and slander.”
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