Norwich Volunteer Fire Companies Issue Public Statement Addressing Legal and Cost Concerns
February 22, 2026 — The Occum Fire Department, along with Norwich’s volunteer fire companies, released a public statement addressing recent concerns surrounding legal action and the structure of fire services within the city. The statement emphasizes that the volunteers’ objective is transparency and fairness for taxpayers, not conflict, following the abrupt shutdown of a long-standing volunteer company. According to the release, the lawsuit filed by volunteer departments seeks judicial review to clarify legal authority and ensure that any significant changes to fire services comply with the procedures outlined in the City Charter.
The statement further notes that volunteer departments are self-funding their legal defense, with firefighters personally and collectively raising the necessary funds. Volunteers assert that taxpayer expense stems from the City’s decision to defend its actions, not from the volunteers exercising their legal rights. They maintain that a lawful public process—such as an ordinance or charter revision—would have allowed open debate without litigation.
Addressing claims about cost-sharing when the career department responds to incidents in volunteer districts, the statement highlights the city’s longstanding mutual-aid system. Volunteer companies regularly assist in the career district, staffing stations and handling additional emergency calls while career personnel remain committed to major incidents. Officials argue that this cooperative model benefits the entire city by maintaining strong emergency coverage while helping control staffing costs and limiting tax burdens.
The volunteer departments reaffirmed their support for cooperation with career personnel, stressing that the issue centers on lawful process and public input rather than opposition to collaboration. They concluded by reiterating their commitment to providing reliable emergency services while respecting the City Charter, taxpayers, and Norwich’s tradition of volunteer fire service.
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