Fire Programs

The delivery of the following programs by the staff and team of the Meriden Fire Department are affected with professionalism, integrity, compassion and optimism often under adverse and difficult circumstances.

• Fire Prevention - The Fire Marshal's office is staffed with five uniformed personnel and one full time clerk to enforce the Connecticut State Life Safety Fire Code, deliver plan reviews for new businesses and those who renovate or expand, issue the appropriate permits for hazardous materials and explosives, investigate all fires for cause and origin, develop and issue plans for general fire prevention, and assist with public fire education. The staff works closely with other city agencies to help ensure that a reasonable standard of housing and safety is maintained.
• Public Fire Education - The Department utilizes on duty fire companies, the Fire Marshal's office, Fire Alarm and Training Divisions, and administrative staff to deliver fire education programs to age groups from pre-school to senior citizens.  Fire prevention, survival from fire, and the proper use of fire extinguishers are just some examples of this program. Call 203.630.5868 to schedule a program.
• Fire Suppression - The Department operates five engine companies and one ladder or truck company to suppress fires in buildings, vehicles and the woodlands.  Buildings range from single family dwellings, multiple dwellings, health care facilities, commercial and manufacturing businesses to high rise structures.  An incident command system, along with standard operating procedures, are utilized to provide for life safety to civilians and firefighters, incident stabilization and property conservation.  Fire companies also conduct annual building surveys to pre-plan buildings that pose a high risk to life or property in the event of fire.
• Hazardous Materials Incident Mitigation - The Fire Department is charged with managing incidents that involve hazardous materials. Department members are trained at the defensive operational level with regards to dyking, patching, controlling and decontamination if it can be done with little or no risk to the responders.  The incident command system is used to provide command, control and coordination of resources including evacuating residents, activating other support agencies such as the State Police Haz-Mat team, State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation. and other public or private entities as required.
• Technical Rescue - The Department delivers technical rescue services with on duty fire companies trained in high angle, confined space, open water and cold water ice rescue, elevator, vehicle, and machinery extrication.  A utility vehicle donated by Yankee Gas Services and retrofitted by firefighters is used to transport the necessary equipment to calls for service.
• Emergency Medical Services - The Meriden Fire Department has provided basic life support to the community since the 1940s.  Firefighters trained as emergency medical technicians and medical response technicians are first responders to calls involving heart attacks, trauma from injury or accidents, pre-hospital child delivery or medical emergencies from illness.  The ability to arrive on scene with well trained personnel within an average of four minutes is one of the keys to success in delivering timely pre-hospital care at the first responder level.
• Community Involvement - Meriden's fire service is actively involved with the community and its events.  The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the Meriden Daffodil Festival are just a few of the partnerships the Department has within the community.  Support to the community police program, neighborhood associations and all city agencies is vital to maintaining and improving the quality of life in Meriden.