Fire Chief's Message

Our Fire Department
The Yantic Fire Engine Company #1 comes from a long tradition of “Serving the People”. We have been a fire Company since 1847. At that time it was, as it is now, completely made up of volunteers. These individuals were area business men & workers in the community, who wanted to protect their property and save lives, always ready aid to those in need 24/7/365.  Today we are still 100% Volunteer and protect approximately 10 sq miles of the city’s 27 sq miles, including many of the city’s largest tax payers and employers such as W.W. Backus Hospital, Freeport Industries, Computer Science Crop, US Foods and the entire “Stanley Israelite Business Park”.

Our Rating
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates fire departments across the U.S. from a class 1 to a class 10, with one being the best. There are no class 1 fire departments in Norwich and there are only class 4/9 fire departments. We are pleased to say that we have been given a split classification rating of 4/9 based on areas with hydrants is a 4 rating and non hydrant areas is a 9. We responded to approximately of 700 calls a year with an average response time of 4 minutes. We are fortunate to have a reciprocal automatic mutual aid agreement with our surrounding departments. This agreement provides an immediate response of manpower and equipment on specific calls. Thus, we are able to provide an efficient utilization of everyone’s limited resources during an emergency. 

Our Mission & Services
Although our mission has not changed over the years, the services that we provide have changed in order to accomplish it. We currently provide fire suppression, medical services, fast water and ice rescue, hazardous material mitigation, disaster preparedness and mitigation, public education, building pre-plans and a host of other services in an attempt to meet the rapidly changing needs of our community. 

Questions, Comments & Assistance
We strive to provide a high level of professional services in a fiscally responsible manner. The safety and well-being of our residents, visitors and our firefighters are our number one priority. We are interested in your feedback. Please contact us and let us know how you think we are doing. It is our goal to continually evaluate our services and seek improvement. Please contact us at 860.887.2221 ext. #2 if you have questions or if we can be of any assistance. I may also be reached by email chiefYFECO@comcast.net.