East Lyme — The hiring of a full-time career chief to oversee the town's fire departments and emergency services and the implementation of new initiatives to retain and recruit volunteers are among the recommendations from a study on East Lyme's fire and emergency services.

Consultants from JLN Associates of Old Lyme presented to the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday the results of the study that includes a list of more than 20 recommendations.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson said the 272-page report, about a year in the making, will provide a "clear vision" of what is needed for the next 20 years. The purpose of the approximately $15,000 study was to take an independent look at the fire and emergency services currently being provided to East Lyme and what might need to be adapted for the future needs and growth of the town.

One of the recommendations of the study is to hire a "full-time career fire chief" that would oversee both fire departments, emergency medical services, the fire marshal's office and emergency management.

Nicholas DeLia, chief consultant for municipal services for JLN Associates, stressed that the study is not suggesting the creation of one fire department. He said the study recommends instead taking the existing structure the town has had for years and installing a person at the top to coordinate and take care of the challenging issues that may be difficult for someone with a full-time job to deal with. 

The study further recommends the negotiation of an agreement between the East Lyme Ambulance Association and the town to determine the parameters of community resources and financial reimbursement, DeLia said.

The consultants said East Lyme, like many towns across the country, faces declining volunteerism. They recommended efforts to recruit and retain volunteers, including holding a monthly dinner and supporting volunteers attending night classes at a community college to prepare them to be career firefighters.

The fire departments currently have a total of seven full-time firefighters, as well as part-time paid firefighters and volunteers.

"This really needs to be a community effort, if you're going to save the complete volunteer system where it is today," said JLN Associates Principal John Nickerson, who is not related to the first selectman. "It's going to take some effort. You are bucking a national trend, but I'm a believer that you can turn things around with the right effort and the right people, and it's something that you're going to need to do if you want to just flat line where you are."

The selectmen asked questions of the consultants on Wednesday. Mark Nickerson said the selectmen will spend more time reviewing the report and then begin conversations with the fire departments and ambulance association about next steps.

DeLia said that fire and emergency service personnel already may be doing some of the recommendations, but he suggested they become formal practice.

Other recommendations of the study include:

• Whenever possible, firefighters should join the fire marshal's office during certificate of occupancy inspections of buildings.

• There should be regularly scheduled joint training sessions between the Niantic and Flanders Fire Departments to practice tasks within the town's emergency plan and individual response guides.

• A bulk purchasing agreement should be in place for emergency services to create "economies of scale."

• A rural water policy should be created with the Planning and Zoning Commissions and Inland Wetlands Agency to ensure provisions for fire water in new developments that are built outside of areas with hydrants.

A link to the full study is posted on the town's website, eltownhall.com.

k.drelich@theday.com