Norwich - Three volunteer fire departments, including two in Norwich, stand to benefit from $840,000 in funding requests submitted to the state legislature by state Sen. Cathy Osten.

Osten, D-Sprague, has proposed bills that would fund a $250,000 addition to the Taftville firehouse, a $550,000 addition to the firehouse in Marlborough and buy $40,000 worth of turnout gear for firefighters at the Occum Fire Department. Osten's 10-town district covers both Norwich and Marlborough.

Osten said the requests came out of continuing discussions with local fire officials about their immediate needs. She said the continued success of the volunteer fire service is a regional and statewide issue and she considers the departments "regional assets."

Certain federal grant funding sources have dried up, leaving few other ways for the departments to obtain funding, she said.

Taftville Fire Chief Timothy Jencks said his department has long sought money from the city and through grants for an addition that could house a vehicle and equipment related to the Norwich Underwater Search and Rescue Team, which is based at the department.

With more than two dozen members from Yantic and Taftville, the team is now training with other divers from fire and police departments across New London County as part of a new multijurisdiction dive team. That team would respond to calls as far south as Long Island Sound and north to Windham County.

The 1,200-square-foot addition would include two garage bays and provide a secure location out of the elements. The money also would help pay for paving work to provide additional parking spaces to accommodate responding firefighters, alleviating the need for firefighters to park in front of local businesses on the road or at a nearby school.

Jencks said portable heaters are now run to the truck to keep equipment warm enough to be ready for a rescue call.

Occum Fire Chief Robert LaChapelle said the money Osten has requested would help supply the members of his growing department with new turnout gear - boots, hats, gloves, pants and jackets.

Firefighters currently are working with gear that is essentially piecemeal, and newer members tend to get the older gear. The department has close to 30 members with three new recruits in training. LaChapelle said the money could equip 15 to 18 members.

He said additional funding from the city is unlikely and the department "wouldn't want to burden the city if we don't have to." Occum and Taftville are two of five volunteer fire departments in the city, which on occasion work in conjunction with the paid City of Norwich Fire Department.

Osten said the request is in the preliminary stages and recently assigned to the Appropriations Committee. If approved, the money would be bonded.

Jencks credited Osten with continued support for the local dive team and emergency services throughout her tenure as a legislator.

g.smith@theday.com

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