[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5982434,"mediaKeyId","5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228","parentId",5772585,"title","Norwalk Fire Department reports higher call volume for 2025, commissions new fireboat and schedules mutual-aid drill","audioSeconds",76,"startMs",680000,"endMs",756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228&start=680&end=756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228/thumbnail_680000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982434/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-Fire-Department-reports-higher-call-volume-for-2025-commissions-new-fireboat-and-schedules-mutual-aid-drill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982434-5b08c39c6e732515709eec71d329acc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440462&Signature=bT9GXd07FdYkXu9NOBj3HgI1SsaTaxkffbj2T0lq6DGB9kyzGFY8HyTnIkgOBUNeGv33t8dj270-cCfQYp9ZuCWOTrBM12faSwvImc1U9DWUB9TTShnWbWskl0b3qBdFLimp9tk072e7AHhobANFyPxkbUcOQx2~8489JSHXMqkZzDo5nZ02Bfzh92rly3UV8wj00SE3xFpxSe23ob3t1SX9qE9Oc3BHuJV9we3kpkIOtOCGcCYKixDJSbV2yhIlmaNOl-lxBRmhiSo2zdwt1iomaji6vI7QPvGBZ-u~ZNRnHBJ3IDm4MEQ3bAEXMkaPuqVYKDHE0scC67hmTjW~Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-09-16T20:25:29Z","article","Norwalk Fire Department officials told the Board of Fire Commissioners on Sept. 16 that August produced 729 incidents — an average of 23.5 calls per day — and that the department has handled 5,625 incidents year to date in 2025.

The August activity included 17 fires (two building fires), 41 rescues, 445 emergency medical service calls, 20 hazardous conditions, 20 service calls, 131 fire alarms and 55 good-intent calls. Year-to-date through 2025 the department reported 5,625 incidents and 9,019 company responses, both slightly higher than 2024.

Operations staff reported that the new fireboat, MU229, was officially commissioned Sept. 4, christened the Harry W. Rilling. The vessel was placed in the water at Betts Park and crews have begun training on it.

Norwalk will host a mutual-aid tanker drill on Saturday, Oct. 11, bringing tankers from Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and Wilton to exercise water-supply procedures for low-water districts. The drill aims to familiarize agencies with equipment and procedures for supplying water to fire scenes.

The operations report also summarized two notable structure fires on Aug. 29. At 28 Point Road Engine 5 found fire burning in front of a fireplace and extinguished it with a pressurized water can; Truck 2 checked for extension and found none, and there were no injuries. At 62 Osborne Ave the first engine found smoke showing; crews found fire in an unfinished bathroom wall with extension into the ceiling, extinguished it and ventilated the structure; no injuries were reported.

Training updates included orientation on a Flax Hill Road temporary water main and hydrant setup, a two-week structural collapse shoring class with hands-on sessions planned at Ranzulli Road, ongoing tiller driver training, marine training with the new vessel and preplanning tours at Greenledge Lighthouse. Recruits are in week four of training at the regional fire school; staff said their evaluations have been “excellent.”

The Fire Marshal’s Office reported 231 properties inspected in August, including three large multi-site inspections totaling 271 units, nine plan reviews (fees $1,580), two liquor-license renewals (fees $130) and total income of $1,710 for the month. The office conducted eight investigations during August (seven fires and one code-hazard investigation) and completed life-safety inspections at Sono Elementary School before its Aug. 25 opening.

Commissioners requested a monthly breakdown of calls into District 6 (the six-taxing-district area) to inform future budget discussions; operations staff said they will provide those figures by email.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fire Commission 09-16-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The department reported 729 incidents in August and 5,625 year-to-date incidents in 2025, commissioned the new fireboat Harry W. Rilling Sept. 4, and will hold a mutual-aid tanker drill on Oct. 11; training, inspections and two Aug. 29 structure fires were also described.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982439,"Public commenter and fire marshal raise alarm over proposed state code allowing single-stair egress to six stories",216,432000,648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228&start=432&end=648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228/thumbnail_432000.jpg","/articles/5982439/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Public-commenter-and-fire-marshal-raise-alarm-over-proposed-state-code-allowing-single-stair-egress-to-six-stories","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982439-46efcb1f1e4dc9fb306a0fb59800b834/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440462&Signature=Wgfg83fRV935i3Wfxjo5lCz-z9v9nmT8ByGuhqA1AwtSPKyGoRBCzBLIKKyuXw1cFYSS3Pzgj9agvYPjLPZdx20RBVmNZKQyvNygrM~-a~ui7eO25KiDvwN5j3LuYD6uuQRSce6zJyiBNkU-IVWCtmiJs0hrhL~OkCpOZsIIHEX0a4y754Aq~dvWWpZxGnFm7IoFXOd6t9PZoGNtcgHiP5sCCwLhv7canS1ErxNcTpzpQmQGXAy4PiNze3ClWf8DEe5s2nhb2Q46E5jkYEalFDdOIc-Ubw347R5lw4re9w9JBSJZJH-yJeAMVf-Zbrg0pOftLBQW1ZCI95oclf5t9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment on Sept. 16, resident Diane Cece alerted the commission to a state public hearing on Sept. 17 before the Department of Administrative Services Codes and Standards Committee about proposed 2026 State Building and Fire Codes, and she urged the department and commissioners to review and comment before the state comment period closes Oct. 11.

Cece said she and other civic groups were concerned that a proposed change would allow single-stair egress in multifamily buildings up to six stories and described that as a “very dangerous thing” because it could leave occupants with only window egress and a single internal stairway in an emergency.

Fire Marshal Donahue told the board the Norwalk Fire Marshal’s Office and the chief’s office are aware of the proposal and have reached out to the state to express concerns. Donahue said the proposal as discussed would look to add a truck company response to provide a second means of egress rather than requiring a second interior stair, and the Norwalk office has communicated its opinion to the state.

The resident who spoke urged immediate attention because the hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17 in Hartford and public comment closes Oct. 11 — dates the fire department and commissioners noted. The fire marshal’s office said it has already “expressed our concerns” to state officials and will direct any appropriate response based on its review.

No formal action by the commission was taken at the Sept. 16 meeting regarding the state code change; commissioners asked the fire marshal to continue reviewing the proposal and to advise whether the board should submit a comment.","A member of the public alerted the Board to a Sept. 17 public hearing on proposed 2026 State Building and Fire Codes that could permit single-stair egress in six-story multifamily buildings; Fire Marshal Donahue said his office and the chief's office have expressed concerns to the state.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982443,"Station 1 renovation uncovers structural, electrical problems; $90,000 extra requested",48,178000,226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228&start=178&end=226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228/thumbnail_178000.jpg","/articles/5982443/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Station-1-renovation-uncovers-structural-electrical-problems-90000-extra-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982443-f9ad7c65997e2123d05109ab91f4d72d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440462&Signature=DgJl6FzD4FnQ51RyLL8-8U1K3qVIoOvve1nMK1f5o0bGdsm-otytVN4x9EAoSRExVmvd0ru-OltqAwQQYqitXlW-aQnzfj5voCwVOheuzA2d9uqircd0E2ZQjfhBP0xRMo80npE8qmrbEYOSeRrto9d7mrq17PqRy29VNH6gUm3qlZ9DEpUfZ-zrWbJf6gUdSKeo1xGRT74QHhEoW0ki6Tb5bA9ehsR0N-zCZ2DOouAOFCI9bolOyrwy8u4CEw4VRPRZu21QazSAo~mRpL5XU0DsvqITVNCw7k3i20m-YoDW8HI7UxVk22eFFGV7HBWPhWLo-kWaDNNC-x6iGIeRYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant Chief Conte reported Sept. 16 that contractors found structural and electrical deterioration while work was underway on Station 1’s apparatus floor and the department requested an additional $90,000 in funding to address the issues.

Conte told commissioners the request for an extra appropriation was reviewed by the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) the previous evening and that BET passed it unanimously. Conte said the request will next move through planning and zoning as part of the appropriation process.

Conte described the problems as age-related conditions in a 1960s building: rotted electrical conduits found in or under the slab, water damage from nonworking drains, and a lack of insulation under the original slab that must be added to meet current code. He said the work is largely structural and related to code compliance, and that change orders have been itemized. Conte said the project has a contingency and the additional funding is not holding up completion of the slab; he expects the floor to be finished within a few weeks once the work proceeds.

Commissioners asked whether the appropriation is a special appropriation and whether planning and zoning review will be required; Conte confirmed it is a special appropriation and that planning and zoning is the next step. He said overhead door replacements at Station 1 will follow the floor work and that most station doors across the city have already been replaced.

No formal vote on the additional appropriation was taken by the commission at the Sept. 16 meeting; Conte said BET approved the additional funds and the department will continue through the municipal approval process.","Assistant Chief Conte reported structural and electrical issues discovered during Station 1 apparatus floor work and said the department requested an additional $90,000 special appropriation, passed by BET, before planning and zoning review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982448,"Norwalk Fire Chief Gatto to Retire; Assistant Chief McCabe Named Successor",211,1704000,1915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228&start=1704&end=1915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772585-b1da58b1f1e6135d26df60c19514c228/thumbnail_1704000.jpg","/articles/5982448/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-Fire-Chief-Gatto-to-Retire-Assistant-Chief-McCabe-Named-Successor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982448-6f65d3fc485f9d116dfcd281effa6812/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440462&Signature=S~yw6b7f6H5ssiD9cqC6DpbcO0SPObniWZM87hCP4klJfQZ1c~1i2sRSkXYTrkDvWYSEOYBy0ymYY0scTA~L9CzSoYdS6rFXF9t6fRoYEcmJ-NJOOT~EGX36Sl7Sl0DaDnkQqusEMnQ9tUswYZb1zf67MQY39-5mFi6Zkx8kpwap1xmfJ4TZk4Gn5xM32P5bSxLsCB0BIssh1jfwkfuBKZyvzb5KicUVqRIB-2UOVXGsnapUD-aQGC95QK0r~8upI-IcBo8BdeOkQi7eO5E38GH3UEeC2p1BKVrSHi4reisqIURIpwyLzT4ZQhIYlUHXLWZjcGNaecd7I3VI3WN1Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Gino Gatto notified the Norwalk Board of Fire Commissioners on Sept. 16 that he will retire effective Sept. 30, 2025, and the board voted the same day to promote Assistant Chief Edward McCabe to fire chief effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Gatto’s retirement letter, read at the meeting, said in part: “Please accept this letter as a formal notification of my retirement from my position as chief of the Norwalk Fire Department effective close of business on 09/30/2025.” He wrote that he has served Norwalk for 43 years and led the department for eight years.

The retirement was acknowledged by the board; the mayor said the commission would “accept with regrets” the letter and extend the department’s thanks. The board then held an executive session for personnel matters; no motions or votes were taken in executive session, and the subsequent public vote promoted Edward McCabe to fire chief by unanimous vote.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to fill McCabe’s assistant chief vacancy by promoting Deputy Chief Reardon to assistant chief, also effective Oct. 1. When taking the vote on the promotions the mayor said, “Congratulations. Godspeed.” McCabe replied, “Great honor to be appointed chief, and I will work hard for Norwalk's firefighters and for the citizens of Norwalk.”

The board noted that Gatto’s retirement cannot be blocked by the commission but expressed appreciation for his service. The promotions were handled in open session and recorded as approved without recorded dissents. No other personnel actions were announced.

Looking ahead, the commission listed its next meeting as Oct. 21, 2025; the new chief’s appointment takes effect Oct. 1. The meeting record states the commission took no formal votes in executive session and that the personnel promotions were approved in public session.","Chief Gino Gatto notified the Board of Fire Commissioners he will retire effective Sept. 30, 2025; Assistant Chief Edward McCabe was promoted to fire chief, effective Oct. 1, in a unanimous vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwalk Fire Department reports higher call volume for 2025, commissions new fireboat and schedules mutual-aid drill

Public commenter and fire marshal raise alarm over proposed state code allowing single-stair egress to six stories

Station 1 renovation uncovers structural, electrical problems; $90,000 extra requested

Norwalk Fire Chief Gatto to Retire; Assistant Chief McCabe Named Successor