By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Volunteer firefighters in Connecticut have ended mediation with city officials over contract and operational disputes.
• The volunteer fire departments’ lawsuits against the city will continue, leaders said.
• Firefighters cited concerns over staffing changes, equipment, and support for volunteer services.
• City officials have declined to settle before court action proceeds.
CONNECTICUT CITY, CT — Volunteer fire department leaders in a Connecticut municipality announced they have concluded mediation with city officials and plan to proceed with lawsuits over disputes involving operational support, contracts and department management.
Representatives for the volunteer fire departments said negotiations through mediation did not result in agreements on issues including staffing levels, equipment availability, and the city’s treatment of volunteer services, prompting a decision to pursue legal action in court.
City administrators confirmed that mediation had ended but said they would continue to defend their policies and decisions as the cases move forward through the legal process.
Volunteer department leaders said they “look forward to making our case in court” and stressed their intent to protect volunteer firefighting resources and community safety needs through litigation.
No trial dates have been announced, and both sides continue to prepare legal filings as the lawsuits proceed.