NHFD debuts new radios at Fair Haven fire Updated 3:26 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017 NEW HAVEN >> A two-alarm fire at a commercial building on Ferry Street Friday resulted in no serious injuries, though it offered the Fire Department an opportunity to debut new radio systems. Fire Chief John Alston Jr.
Alston said the fire call was the first opportunity for the department to use the new radios. He thanked Mayor Toni Harp and the Board of Alders for allowing the city to receive federal grant money that paid for a majority of the equipment’s cost.
Harp attended an impromptu press conference outside the structure to highlight the new equipment. The neon-green Motorola-brand radios was modeled by Deputy Fire Marshal James Hynek and was also worn by firefighters at the scene. The fire was ongoing when the press conference started, though it would soon be declared under control by fire personnel.
The 95 new radios cost a little over $500,000, Harp said, with the city paying 10 percent and a federal fire service grant funding the rest. Harp said the new equipment will, “absolutely make it safer for our firefighters, as well as ultimately, save lives and property,” in the city.