Basics: Is this a Budget Issue?

No. Even though the property taxes have increased dramatically in the past two years, the city budget is under serious stress.  So does the city have to close Engine 8 because it can't afford to pay for it?

No. The Fire Department and city representatives acknowledged publicly at the aldermen's meeting in April 2011 that there will be no significant cost savings.  The budget for our neighborhood engine will be re-assigned to provide services for other parts of the city.

It might make sense to cut back services from the Engine that is the least-used in the city, if you had to and if that wouldn't entail an unacceptable security risk..

So I guess it's because our neighborhood pays the least in property taxes that our fire engine is going to be the one cut?

Um.... let me think about that one.

Basics: Engine 8 also covers the schools

Engine 8 is the first responder for fire and medical emercencies at half a dozen schools -- including Worthington Hooker K-2 and 3-8, Celantano, Foote School, St. Thomas Day School, Wilbur Cross -- and as many preschools -- including Edith B Jackson, Bethesda Lutheran, Childrens' Preschool, and Laila Day.

Without Engine 8, the closest fire engine would be at Olive and Grand -- which is not so good for us.

Squad 1 can also respond, if -- if -- it is in the fire station.

And, of course, coverage for other schools in the city is not an issue, since none of the other 10 fire stations is losing their engine.

Back to Basics: What Does Engine 8 do?

Engine 8 fights fires and provides basic life support in emergencies. 

In 2010, Engine 8 responded to over 1600 calls.

New Haven has 10 fire stations. Each one has a fire engine designated with a "home" territory where they provide first response for fire and medical emergencies.  The home territory of Engine 8 is the northern section of the city. 

Engine 8 covers on of the largest territories assigned to any engine, and one of the most densely populated.

Without Engine 8, the East Rock neighborhood (including Sohu, Science Hill, and Prospect Streets) will be the ONLY fire station in New Haven without a designated "home" fire engine.

Sign a Postcard!

Let Mayor DeStefano and the NH Fire Department know that you are concerned --

Sign one of the red and white postcards that say "We Need Engine 8."  You can find them at Romeo's, Lulu's, Orange Street Liquor, P&M Market, Cafe Romeo, and other shops along Orange Street.

Add a personal note if you feel like it (something like "I won't vote for you in October, you mangy rodent, if you close our fire engine!" would probably get his attention).  And drop it in the drop box.

We'll collect them all and make a very public display of support for Engine 8. 

It's not a petition, so you don't have to be registered to vote (or even eligible to vote). 

But if you think you might like to be saved in case of a house fire -- please sign a card.

Tell Mayor DeStefano

So if you've decided that you don't think our neighborhood (the entire northern section of the city, actually) should be the ONLY neighborhood that doesn't have a fire engine, let Mayor DeStefano know.

You can reach his office by phone at (203) 946-8200

by email at mayordestafano@newhavenct.net

Or if you are downtown to drop off your tax bill, you can go by his office at 165 Church Street.

If we tell him 500 times, do you think he will get the message?

Prom Night is Getting on Like a House on Fire

You wouldn't think that Prom Night was a particularly dangerous night for fires, would you?

Because, in her excitement, Cinderella left her curling iron plugged in and on the bed and then went off to the ball -- and came home, literally, to cinders and ashes.  That's what happened at a house on Sheffield Ave last week.

But because Engine 8 got there fast, they managed to save the house, even though Cinderella's room was destroyed -- because "getting on like a house on fire" isn't just a saying.

We Love Squad 1, but...

They do not love us back.

Well ... I'm sure they would if they could.

Here's the deal: there are two active fire "trucks" in the fire station on Whitney Ave. (More about "trucks" later.) Engine 8 is assigned to the East Rock neighborhood -- that is its "home" neighborhood.

Though Squad 1 "lives" in the same fire station, it is assigned to all of New Haven county.  And it has different equipment and different duties -- that's why it is a "Squad" and not an "Engine." 

Squad 1is the truck that is called out to respond to accidents on the freeway, for example, because it can do extrications.  And Squad 1, as the hazmat unit, is also called out for hazardous spills.  It has some of the same abilities to fight fires, but it does, and is supposed to do, a lot of other, specialized jobs.  It is not a fire engine (the primary function of which is pumping water onto a fire).

So the city tells that they can take out Engine 8 and Squad 1 will still be there to respond to fire emergencies.  Will Squad 1 be there for us?

Three quarters of Squad 1's calls take it outside the district.  So even if we love Squad 1 100%, they ain't gonna love us back more than 25%. 

Which is why the 10 fire stations in New Haven each have their own home fire Engine. 

Except for us, if they take Engine 8 away.