New Build? “New Codes”, says Westport Fire Marshal
Westport Fire Marshal Terry Dunn with Building Official Smith. Contributed photoPress Release:Attention Architects and Contractors: The Westport Building and Fire Marshal’s Offices have issued the following statement regarding the new Connecticut Building Codes.
The 2022 Connecticut Fire Safety Code, Fire Prevention Code and State Building Code was granted legislative approval and will go into effect on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The Westport Fire Marshal’s Office in conjunction with the Westport Building Department would like to remind all design professionals that permits issued after October 1, 2022, will need to be designed utilizing these news Codes. The State of Connecticut makes amendments to the model Codes and a link to the Connecticut Amendments can be found here. “Utilizing these new Code sets, our office will continue to ensure the highest standard of fire and life safety and as such all new buildings will be constructed to the standards set forth in the new Codes”, said Westport Fire Marshal Terry Dunn.
Westport Building Official Steve Smith said, “These new Codes will affect both residential and commercial construction activities in town. This is to ensure the safety of our residents and property owners. These Code changes apply to every municipality in the State of Connecticut.”
Westport plans to offer training seminars in the near future. Please visit District 8 Building Officials for monthly meeting and upcoming seminars.
Fire Department: Gas Leak near Brooks Corner on Main Street; Avoid Area
The Westport Fire Department was dispatched shortly after 10 this morning for the report of a gas leak on Main Street in the area of Brooks Corner, Elm Street. The area has been closed off and the public is warned to avoid the area while they manage the situation.
Westport Fire Department: Fire Danger “Extreme” Today; Conditions “not seen since the 1960s”
Today’s Fire Danger Level: Extreme
Westport Fire Department: When the fire danger is "extreme", fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the "very high" level. Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days.According to the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Danger Report, all of Fairfield County is at “extreme” fire danger today. Fire Chief Michael Kronick said, “All fires are potentially serious, but fires under “extreme conditions” start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely.”
If you spot a forest fire, remain calm, and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department. Calmly tell the emergency dispatcher when and where you saw it. Extreme fire danger means fires start and can spread quickly.
After another month of below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures, our region, not usually associated with drought, is experiencing near-historic drought conditions not seen since the 1960s.
“Residents should not be alarmed but take steps now to reduce their water usage,” said Fire Chief Michael Kronick, Emergency Management Director. “You can prepare by being proactive and conscientious of your water usage and be alert of the fire danger.”
Now is the time to take measures to reduce the impact of the drought conditions, including:
Reduce automatic outdoor irrigation
Postpone the planting of any new lawns or vegetation
Minimize overall water use by fixing leaky plumbing and fixtures
Follow any additional conservation requests issued by water suppliers or municipalities
For more information from the Connecticut Drought Information Center, please click here.
Tips on water saving measures can be found on the Department of Public Health’s website here.
Get Important Alerts. Sign up at www.nixle.com or Text 06880 to 888777 to receive emergency alerts regarding weather and other emergency information.
Fire Department: Car Flips Over, Crashes through Fence off Wilton Road
At just after 5:30 today, first responders were dispatched to the area of Wilton Road near Cross Brook Lane for the report of a motor vehicle accident with a vehicle rolled over. Upon arrival of emergency services, a vehicle was found to have lost control and left the roadway, rolling over a stone wall and into an adjacent fence. Wilton Road was shut down between Newtown Turnpike and Marilane for a short time while the scene was active. No reports on what caused the accident or if any injuries were suffered. Contributed photo by Westport Fire Department.
Fire on Fireworks Barge “Under Investigation”
Westport Fire Department Press Release: Westport Fire Department photoAt approximately 9:30 pm on June 30, 2022, during the annual Westport Police Athletic League (PAL) Fireworks Celebration, a fire started on the barge's deck used to launch the fireworks. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time, and there were no injuries nor property damage. The Westport Fire Department was able to coordinate with the crew from Fireworks by Grucci to ensure their safety and the safety of the public during the fire. Westport Firefighters on the scene were assisted by a fire boat from the Norwalk Fire Department to extinguish the fire.
The fire was extinguished at 11:25 pm, and the barge was able to return to Long Island to set up for another fireworks display tonight.
Fire Department: Downtown Garage Fire Causes “Extensive Damage”
Westport Fire Department Press Release:On Monday, June 6, 2022 at approximately 7 pm, Westport Fire Dispatch received a report of a structure fire at 9 Evergreen Ave. The caller reported seeing flames from a building. Upon the arrival of the first engine, they reported a heavily involved detached garage fire. Engine 2 deployed a hose line with the assistance of other firefighters from responding units. The fire was contained to the garage and did not extend to the house. There were several small explosions in the garage that were attributed to normal garage contents and vehicle tires. Firefighters extinguished the fire and checked to make sure there was no remaining hidden fire. The garage sustained extensive damage as did the contents of the garage, including the vehicle parked inside. The scene was turned over to the Fire Marshal’s Office for investigation and all fire units were cleared. There were no reports of civilian or firefighter injuries at the time of this release.
Firefighters Respond to Evergreen Avenue Fire; No Injuries Reported
First responders were dispatched to a home on Evergreen Avenue just before 7:00 this evening for a reported structure fire, with smoke visible from several spots in the Downtown Westport area. Westport firefighters arrived quickly to the scene with support from Wilton Fire Department, Westport Police Department, and Westport Emergency Medical Service following behind. All responders were cleared from the home a short time later with no reported injuries. No information has been released. WestportLocal.com photo.
Marsan, Crawford Named as New Deputy Chief, Lieutenant at Fire Department Pinning Ceremony
Contributed photoWestport Fire Department
Fire Chief Michael Kronick and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker are pleased to announce the promotions of Nicholas Marsan to the rank of Deputy Chief of Department and Theodore Crawford to the rank of Lieutenant. They, along with Fire Chief Kronick, were sworn in at Town Hall in a small ceremony at 2:00pm today. The promotions fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Robert Yost on January 1, 2022.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker stated, “I extend congratulations and best wishes to Nick Marsan and Ted Crawford on their well-deserved promotions. The hard work, dedication and achievements displayed by these men are a credit to their profession. I have the utmost confidence that, along with Chief Mike Kronick, the Fire Department and the citizens of Westport are in extremely capable hands with this strong leadership team.”
“I am very proud of Nick and the contributions that he has made to our department and look forward to his continued leadership as we plan and prepare for the future. His management style, innovation, and communication skills are well regarded at all levels of our department, and I know he will continue to positively impact our fire department and our community in his new leadership role” said Chief Kronick.
Nicholas Marsan joined the Westport Fire Department as a career firefighter in 2007. Upon graduation from the Connecticut Fire Academy, he was assigned to Platoon 3 where he served as a firefighter for nine years. In 2016, he was promoted to Fire Inspector and was assigned to the Fire Marshal's Office for 12 months before being promoted to Lieutenant. Nick served 5 years as an Engine Company Lieutenant, most of which was spent at Station 4 in Saugatuck.
Nick is a veteran of the US Army and the CT Army National Guard. In 2010 he was deployed overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Nick was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for Valor for actions during operations in Afghanistan and here at home has been the recipient of two Westport Rotary Public Protection & Safety Awards, and two-unit citations.
Nick is an EMT, a graduate of the Connecticut Fire Academy Class #41, a nationally certified Fire Service Instructor III and Fire Officer III. He is a state certified Fire Marshal and, prior to his appointment to Deputy Chief, served the communities of Norwalk and Darien as a Fire Inspector. Nick was president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Association, Local 1081. He is also a State Fire Instructor for the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Nick is a graduate of Fairfield Prep and attended graduate school at Western Connecticut State University, earning a Master’s Degree in History. He also completing his Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Emergency Management at Sacred Heart University.
Deputy Chief Marsan stated, "I am truly honored to be entrusted with the responsibilities and duties of Deputy Chief of the Westport Fire Department. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the Westport community in this role and am eager to get to work doing so!"
Theodore Crawford joined the Westport Fire Department as a career firefighter in 2011. Upon graduation from the Connecticut Fire Academy, he was assigned to Platoon 2 where he served as a firefighter for ten years. Since March 2021, he has been assigned to the position of Acting Lieutenant on Platoon 4. He is an EMT and graduate of the Connecticut Fire Academy, Class #47, as well as President of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation.
Ted is also rescue diver on the Westport Police/ Fire Dive Team and Hazardous Materials Technician on the Fairfield County Hazmat Team. He is the recipient of a Westport Rotary Public Protection & Safety Award, Firefighter Dominic Zeoli Award and two, Unit Citations.
Ted is also a graduate of Clarkson University, earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and holds a Professional Engineering License in the State of Connecticut.
Chief Kronick spoke highly of Lieutenant Crawford stating, “I believe Ted will make an outstanding officer of the department and will be a great asset to our community.”
A formal Pinning Ceremony is being planned this spring (March/April) when we can properly gather and celebrate the department.
Please join us in congratulating Deputy Chief Marsan and Lieutenant Crawford.
Westport Fire Chief Rob Yost Retires; Deputy Chief Kronick named New Chief
From First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker
Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced today that she has accepted the retirement letter of Fire Chief Robert Yost, effective January 1, 2022.
Ms. Tooker said, “The Town of Westport and its residents have been very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of Rob’s expertise and dedication throughout his 34 years. As Fire Chief, Rob has assured that our firefighters are appropriately recruited, trained, and equipped to serve in their roles of preventing and fighting fires and providing rescue services.
"As the Emergency Management Director, Rob has been on the front lines in protecting all our residents. On Rob’s watch, Westport has weathered some particularly devastating storms and tense situations. In addition, his attention to FEMA reimbursement regulations and opportunities has enabled many Westporters to receive federal financial assistance in repairing/replacing their storm damaged properties.
"On behalf of the residents of Westport, his fellow employees, and his firefighting colleagues, I am grateful for Rob’s longstanding, exemplary and dedicated service. I wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Chief Yost stated, “It has been an honor to serve the Town of Westport for the last 34 years, and a privilege to work with the finest Firefighters and coworkers in the State. I look forward to enjoying a new chapter in my life and I will always hold the Westport Fire Department near and dear to my heart.”
Ms. Tooker continued, “I am very confident that the command of the Westport Fire Department will remain in capable hands. To that end, I am pleased to announce that Deputy Chief Michael Kronick will be promoted to Department Chief and Emergency Management Director upon Chief Yost’s retirement. Mike has the proven ability and expertise to seamlessly and effectively take over the role as Chief. Like Chief Yost, Mike has a breadth of knowledge, skill and understanding that will ensure that the current high standards of safety and efficiency will be maintained in the Westport Fire Department.”
About Chief Robert Yost:
Chief Robert Yost began his career in the fire service in 1986 as a part-time firefighter for the Mansfield Volunteer Fire Co. while attending the University of Connecticut. After briefly working for Xerox Corp., he took a full-time position in Mansfield. He was sworn in as a Westport Firefighter in 1988.
After becoming the department’s first Emergency Medical Service Instructor, he became a paramedic in 1995. In 2006, Rob was promoted to lieutenant. He was the Fire Department leader of the joint Fire and Police Dive Rescue Team. In 2009, he was promoted to Assistant Chief, and in 2011, was promoted to Assistant Chief Training Officer. Rob was appointed to the position of Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director in February 2017.
Rob also has a family background in firefighting. His father served as Fire Chief in Norwalk for two decades, and a photo of his grandfather, also a firefighter, sitting atop a Norwalk firetruck adorns his desk.
During his career with Westport Fire Department, he has obtained three Edmund Duffy Unit Citations, a John Gallagher Award for an Unusual Act of Valor, and a Certificate of Exemplary Police Action. He is a member of the National Ski Patrol, the Connecticut Interstate Wildfire Crew, and the Connecticut West Incident Management Team. His other interests include skiing, bicycle riding, scuba diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding. He lives in Milford with his wife, Tina.
About Deputy Chief Michael Kronick:
Deputy Chief Michael Kronick joined the Westport Fire Department in July of 1998. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in January of 2009. Mike was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief in October 2017. During his career with the Westport Fire Department, he has been awarded the Edmund Duffy Unit Citation, the Chief Shippey and the Argenio awards for service to the department.
Mike serves on the Connecticut Incident Management Team and was instrumental in forming the Fairfield County Strike Team and Task Force system. He is a member of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew and has been on several national wildfire deployments out West.
Mike graduated from Fairfield High School in 1991 and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut and a Masters in Fire Science from the University of New Haven. Mike lives in Stratford with his fiancé Beth and his two adorable little boys, Sullivan (2 years old) and Anderson (3 weeks old).
Man Rescued from Waters off of Saugatuck Shores at Sunrise
Westport Police Department ReleaseAt approximately 5:55 a.m. this morning, Westport Police officers responded to Saugatuck Shores on a report of an elderly male who was missing. Several officers immediately began to search the area and a short time later the missing man was spotted partially submerged in the water.
Given the temperature of the water, it was imperative that the officers immediately begin efforts to rescue the individual. A canoe owned by a private citizen was located close by and deployed. One officer held the man’s head above the water while several others lifted him into the canoe. Once the man was safely in the canoe he was brought to the shoreline where personnel from the Westport Fire Department assisted with removing him from the vessel and then brought him to waiting EMS personnel. EMS evaluated the man on scene, and he was transported to the hospital for further treatment. While the man’s condition is unknown at this time, any injuries he may have sustained did not appear to be life threatening.
Chief Koskinas stated he was very proud of the of the officers who were involved in this rescue. “There is no doubt that these officers’ quick thinking and superior teamwork led to a positive outcome.” The Chief also extended his thanks to both the Fire Department and EMS for the valuable assistance that they provided.