Emergency Services Report; November 2020

Recently communications have become a priority between the various Emergency Service agencies and the Town. Selectman Chmielewski and I communicate at least 2-3 times a week in addition to frequent weekly communications with First Selectman Lyden. I want to express my gratitude to these town leaders for their guidance and continued support in all that has been accomplished. Monthly meetings with the Chief Officers of both fire departments have occurred presenting the opportunity for information sharing and discussion towards the provision of emergency services for the Town. Both Selectman Chmielewski and I have established open and frequent communications with Chief Weston of Salem and Chief Silva of Gardner Lake Fire Companies. I also wish to acknowledge Retired Chief Maiorano for all of the work and support that he has provided from the immediate onset of these efforts and I cannot thank him enough for what he has assisted with.

Currently there are (3) schedules that represent the day-time career staff, ambulance, and R-1 services. I am in the search of a systems program which combines all (3) schedules together in a user friendly platform that can be readily shared and efficiently managed.

There is an open posting initiated in early October to hire additional part time FF/EMTs, resulting in a promising response of candidates that is currently being reviewed.
The job posting to fill our vacant full-time Career FF/EMT/Maintainer position has been published and will remain open for the month of November. Applications will be processed within the first 2 weeks of December and a list will be developed for interviews thereafter. An approximate start date should be mid-January pending any scheduling issues due to the Holidays.

Fortunately, we presently operate with 6 part-time and 1 full-time career emergency staff members. The vacant career staff position has been filled by part-time employees since the beginning of this fiscal year. This has been successful with the assistance of the First Selectman’s Adm. Asst. maintaining the scheduling management. There have been rare days when part-time coverage was not available but volunteers were able to assist in providing a crew for response.

Over the past 2 months the following towns have posted FF/EMT employment opportunities within Salem’s immediate area: Waterford, East Haddam, City of Groton, and Scotland. State wide there are about 8 to 12 departments currently hiring also.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent the town in the capacity of Emergency Services Administrator and I appreciate the support from all of the various town agencies and their leadership.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael Bednarz
Director of Emergency Services, Town Of Salem