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Jan 12, 2012 (23:58:22)

January 2012

It was with dismay that we read the editorial in the Hartford Courant on January 10th which concerns a grievance filed as a result of the October 29th snow storm. The editorial takes a snap shot of an event and attempts to paint an entire picture of a relationship between the Fire fighters, the Fire Administration and the Town without knowing all of the facts. We encourage the citizens of West Hartford to remain confident in their fire department and the ability of its members to answer the call when an emergency occurs.

With regard to the grievance, we cannot make comment on it or its contents. However, we can state that the grievance process is one that is sometimes necessary and not always palatable (for either side) but the Union is duty bound to respond when there has been a repudiation of the contract, a violation of statute or a health and safety concern. The process can be seen as a way to encourage both parties to come to the table to have a frank discussion of the event that brought them there and, more often than not, come to a reasonable and effective resolution. The Union has always expressed our desire to maintain a respectful and open relationship with the Fire Administration and the Town Manager and continues to work to that end.

With regard to Mr. Van Winkle’s comment about everyone pulling on the rope, I would say that the men and women of the West Hartford Fire Department not only pulled on that rope but anchored it. Even so, the department never sought acknowledgement of the efforts of its Fire Companies in the face of such adversity as was seen during the October storm and the days following. Any one of the calls answered by the fire department would have been a better story to write about than a grievance.

One fire company in particular should be commended for their efforts while en-route to a structure alarm which occurred during the storm; after the nearly 20-year-old fire truck on which they were riding broke down in the street, the men of Engine 1 each donned 50 pounds of fire gear and proceeded on foot to the emergency call nearly one-quarter mile away. Only days after the storm struck, the fire department responded to two major and several smaller fires that could be attributed to the devastation wrought by the storm.

These are only a few of the multitude of emergency calls that the department responded to throughout and following the storm. As they do every day, the men and women of the Fire department faced all calls for service with courage and determination. We are proud of the efforts of our membership and honored to work alongside such a dedicated group of people.

Both the Town and the Union have worked together over the past several years to improve our labor-management relations. We have come to the table with mutual respect and negotiated honestly. The Courant’s editorial makes it difficult for all of us to maintain focus on the long-term needs of the citizens and the department. The citizens of West Hartford should know that, first and foremost, the top priority of the men and women of their fire department is the safety and welfare of the residents and visitors to the Town.

Respectfully,

The Executive Board of the West Hartford Fire Fighters Association

Argyle Road Structure Fire

Jan 01, 2012 (08:35:00)

November 3, 2011 - Argyle Road

Photos Taken by Patrick Dooley

Fatal Structure Fire

Dec 08, 2011 (11:46:00)

November 1, 2011 - Highwood Road

Units responded to a report of a structure fire with people trapped, below is what the crews saw upon arrival, the second photo was taken the next day.

Thanks

Oct 04, 2011 (18:55:00)

Thanks to all that came to support the MDA! Special thanks to Whole Foods and all the local craft brewers and distributors for thier on going support. After the last beer was poured and the last hot dog eaten over $7000.00 was raised! See you next year.

Deputy Chief Slater

Aug 03, 2011 (16:43:00)

SLATER, Dunlap Hayward

Dunlap Hayward Slater, devoted son, loving father and grandfather, age 79, of West Hartford and Riverton, CT, passed away July 19th, 2011 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. Born in New Britain, CT, he attended Brown Univ. in RI and UCONN and was a graduate of Suffield Academy. Hayward proudly served the US Army, earning a Bronze Star during the Korean War. A 26 year veteran with the West Hartford Fire Department, he retired as Deputy Chief in 1986. After retirement, he was a member of the VFW and was regional post commander of the VFW district #5 ('92-'93) and worked at Duralite in Riverton, CT. Hayward, son of the late E. Dunlap and Mildred Slater of W. Htfd., CT, and was predeceased by his first wife Diana Slater, and sister Barbara Wall of Milan, OH. He is survived by sister Virginia Deabler of Lillian,AL ; his four children, Linda McBurney Sheffield of NC, Alicia Kelly of CT, Russell Slater of NH, Arthur Slater of VA; eight grandchildren, John, Sarah and Emily Sheffield, Meaghan, Hannah, and Shea Kelly, Camden and Acadia Slater, many great-grandchildren, and Patricia Slater.
Memorial service to be held Sat., July 23 at First Church of Christ Congregational, W.Htfd Center at 10 a.m. followed immediately by interment at Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, CT. Reception with the family TBA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Hartford Firefighters Assn.