By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing:
• Four Connecticut fire districts filed a federal lawsuit after officials voted to dissolve a volunteer fire department in East Hartford.
• Plaintiffs allege officials violated their constitutional rights and breached contracts related to department operation and property.
• The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on Feb. 18, 2026.
• Local leaders said the dissolution stems from long-standing disputes over management, finances and district governance.
HARTFORD, CONN. — Four independent fire districts in Connecticut filed a federal lawsuit this week challenging the decision by East Hartford officials to dissolve a volunteer fire department and assume responsibility for fire services.
The complaint, filed Feb. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, alleges that town leaders violated plaintiffs’ constitutional rights and breached contracts by voting to disband the volunteer department and seize its assets.
According to court filings, the dispute stems from ongoing disagreements over governance, budget management and operational oversight between municipal officials and the independent fire districts that supported the volunteer department. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and damages, asserting that the officials acted without proper authority and due process.
Town representatives have said they moved to dissolve the volunteer department to streamline services and address perceived inefficiencies, though the lawsuit contends those actions harmed the districts and their members.
The case is pending, and the federal court has not yet scheduled hearings or issued rulings on the constitutional and contractual claims raised by the plaintiffs.