What kinds of calls should be made to 911?
Only emergency calls should be made to 911, such as to report a fire, medical crisis, or police emergencies like a home intruder or other life-threatening situation. People should not call for road conditions or routine services such as reporting barking dogs.
Direct routine police calls to 594-3500 and routine fire department calls to 594-3140.
Who answers 911 calls?
The
New Canaan Police Department answers all 911 calls. They will dispatch the police, ambulance and fire department as needed. The state mobile 911 system enables dispatchers to track a cell phone caller’s location anywhere in the state.
Where is the nearest emergency room?
The nearest emergency rooms are at
Norwalk Hospital, Maple Street, 852-2160; and
Stamford Hospital, 30 Shelburne Road, 325-7777.
What ambulance service is available in town?
The
New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps provides the town with continuous emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The members of the ambulance corps are committed to providing high quality, dedicated caring service. The corps maintains two ambulances. Training drills occur monthly. The EMTs are state-certified and must be recertified every two years.
Ambulance corps headquarters is next to the police station at 182 South Avenue. The non-emergency number is 594-3535. The Web site is ncvac.org.
Where will the ambulance take a patient?
The ambulance takes patients to Norwalk Hospital and Stamford Hospital. Non-emergency patients who wish to be taken to other hospitals, medical offices and/or health facilities must make their own arrangements with a commercial ambulance service.
Does New Canaan have a paramedic service?
Yes. Through the town of New Canaan, the ambulance corps has a contract with Norwalk Hospital to provide paramedic service 24 hours a day, every day. The corps has a paramedic response vehicle, known as a fly car. The paramedic responds to emergencies in the fly car behind the ambulance. If paramedic skills are not needed on a call, the fly car and paramedic become immediately available for subsequent calls.
A paramedic’s skills are more advanced than an emergency medical technician. A paramedic can give advanced cardiac life support, IV drug therapy, medication for breathing problems and diabetic reactions, apply external monitors, and use advanced trauma techniques.
How much does an ambulance call cost?
The ambulance corps does not charge for its services. It is volunteer and 100% free to all patients. Separate paramedic charges may apply.
How can I join the ambulance corps?
Anyone interested in becoming a member should call 594-3535 or go online to ncvac.org for information.
Who oversees the ambulance corps?
The
Emergency Medical Services Commission has oversight responsibilities. It also makes policy and sets guidelines. The commission meets the third Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at the police department. To contact the commission, e-mail ems.commission@ci.new-canaan.ct.us.
Where is the fire department?
The
New Canaan Fire House is at 60 Main Street, across the street from town hall. The phone number for routine calls is 594-3140. For emergencies, call 911. David Jonker is New Canaan Fire Chief; Brad Ericson and John Hennessey are assistant chiefs.
The
New Canaan Fire Commission manages and supervises the fire department.
How many firefighters are there?
New Canaan Fire Company No. 1 employs 25 paid firefighters and there are more than 30 non-paid (volunteer) firefighters.
A staff of paid firefighters is on duty in the firehouse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteers carry pagers and respond when needed. The department responds to approximately 1,100 calls per year.
What equipment does the department own?
The fire department owns four pumpers, one ladder truck, one tanker, one rescue truck and one staff/support vehicle. The engines can pump 1,500 gallons per minute. The aerial ladder truck’s ladder is 100 feet long. The department also owns three thermal imaging cameras that enable firefighters to find people trapped in a pitch-black environment, and to identify fire hidden behind walls, floors and ceilings.
To what kind of emergencies can the fire department respond?
In addition to structure, brush, and vehicle fires, firefighters are trained to respond to motor vehicle accidents; water, ice, and confined space rescues; hazardous materials incidents; carbon monoxide emergencies; and a variety of other technical rescues.
How can I become a volunteer firefighter?
Men or women must be between 18 and 55 years old, a New Canaan resident or Connecticut resident living no more than five miles from town, and have a valid driver’s license. To apply, stop by the fire house or e-mail Chief Jonker at dave.jonker@newcanaan.info. An application may be downloaded from newcanaanfire.org.
If I smell smoke and call the fire department, will I be billed for services?
No. Residents are not billed for calls to the fire department. Local property taxes pay for the fire service.
Will I be billed for a false alarm?
Yes. Automatic alarms for fire, police or duress that are false will result in charges from the town. Each household or business is allowed one false alarm per fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Each false alarm after that will result in a charge of $100 for police alarms or $200 for fire alarms.
Who checks businesses, schools and other public places for safety?
This is the purview of the
New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office. This office inspects all buildings, excluding one- and two-family homes, reviews plans for new construction and renovations, and performs inspections during construction. The fire marshal also responds to hazardous material spills, investigates the cause of all fires in town, issues blasting permits and handles blasting complaints. The fire marshal must also be present at all fireworks displays, both public and private.
Who offers fire education safety?
The fire marshal’s office, along with the fire department, offer fire prevention programs to nursery and elementary schools. There are also programs for older students. The fire marshal’s office offers information on home escape plans, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguisher operation.
The fire marshal is Fred Baker and his office, which is on the lower level at town hall, can be reached at 594-3034.
Where is the New Canaan Police Department?
The
New Canaan Police Department is at 174 South Avenue, next to the Schoolhouse Apartments. It was the sixth department in Fairfield County to become nationally accredited. It is headed by Chief Edward Nadriczny.
The department handles criminal investigations and accidents, patrols the streets of New Canaan and offers a host of other services for residents.
Call 594-3500 for routine calls.
How big is the police force?
The New Canaan Police Department employs 45 sworn officers and six civilian personnel.
How many calls do the police respond to?
In 2005, police answered 19,327 calls for service, including responses to 1,669 residential and commercial alarms. Police provided “assists” to 726 people/motorists and answered 1,204 emergency medical assist calls. Vandalism is the most prevalent crime in New Canaan, with 105 complaints in 2005.
Also in 2005, police issued 896 traffic warnings or infractions, up from 342 the previous year. The increase was due primarily to stepped up enforcement of crosswalk regulations. Police also made 65 DUI arrests.
Do the police offer fingerprinting services?
Police provide fingerprinting on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 and noon. There is a $15 charge. It’s a good idea to call ahead. For information, call Jean Cross at 594-3503.
To have your children fingerprinted, call Sgt. Dave Ferris at 594-3500.
Is there a townwide emergency plan?
New Canaan has an Emergency Operations Plan, which was written by the
Emergency Preparedness Committee. In case of an emergency, the office of the first selectman or the director of emergency preparedness will post instant messages with guidance for New Canaanites at newcanaanemergency.org. and on a phone line dedicated to emergencies, 594-4100.
The
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train and equips citizens to be prepared to help themselves and their neighbors in the event of a disaster, crisis, or common emergency. CERT collaborates with the New Canaan Red Cross to provide the necessary help in case of a local disaster. CERT members can assist first responders, assist victims, and organize volunteers at a disaster site. Members must complete a six-session training program. For complete information, go online to newcanaancert.org or to ctredcross.org/newcanaan.
What should I do if power goes out in a storm?
Call Connecticut Light and Power at 800-286-2000. Have flashlights or candles readily available. Don’t use a gas stove or charcoal fires indoors for heat or illumination and shut off electrical appliances.
How do I reach poison control?
A national number — 1-800-222-1222— will link callers from anywhere in the country to medical experts at local poison control centers. The number is funded by the federal government.
The number for the state’s poison control center — 1-800-343-2722 — is still operational. The state center is associated with the University of Connecticut Medical Center and will answer questions about poisons found in the house or about spider or snake bites.
When fast medical assistance is needed in an emergency, call 911 and describe the problem to the dispatcher.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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