Windsor Town Council Special Meeting – September 30, 2024: Vote on Line of Duty Death Ordinance
Windsor Town Council Special Meeting – September 30, 2024
The Windsor Town Council held a special meeting on September 30, 2024, at 11:30 AM to consider a proposed ordinance regarding the authority to declare that a firefighter, police officer, or emergency medical service personnel died in the line of duty. After public testimony and council discussion, the council voted unanimously not to adopt the ordinance, leaving the authority with the respective public safety department chiefs.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christopher Wilkie (171 Carriageway, volunteer firefighter for 15 years) spoke against the ordinance, stating that in 2023, 54% of line-of-duty deaths in the U.S. were attributed to overexertion and strain, with 48 deaths occurring within 24 hours of duty. He expressed concern that an uninvolved third party would decide his family's benefits and urged the council not to adopt the ordinance.
- William Lewis (95 Longview Drive, past chief of Windsor Fire Department for 23 years) recounted two line-of-duty deaths: Firefighter Robert Watts in 2011 (fatal heart attack) and Firefighter Richard Maynard in 1978 (fatal heart attack at a structure fire). He described the town’s failure to support the Maynard family and argued that chiefs are most qualified to determine line-of-duty deaths, urging the council to keep the decision with chiefs.
- James McLaughlin (168 Windbrook Drive, retired deputy chief of Hartford, 42 years in fire service) represented the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, recommending leaving the state law as is with agency chiefs. He stated that the proposed local ordinance is unnecessary because state law already covers the issue and chiefs provide continuity for families. He urged the council to reject the ordinance.
- Samuel Savelli (7 Warren Lane, 20-year volunteer firefighter and EMS provider) cited two line-of-duty deaths handled appropriately by chiefs and referenced the 1978 Maynard case where the town manager fought the family’s benefits. He argued that removing the chiefs' authority would be disrespectful and could jeopardize volunteer membership, leading to a paid department.
Discussion Items
- Mayor and councilors thanked residents for their engagement and acknowledged the hard work of public safety personnel.
- Councilor Ellavd moved to not approve the proposed ordinance (a negative motion), stating that the chiefs are most knowledgeable and that the ordinance's scope is very narrow (cardiovascular events within 24 hours of duty). He supported leaving the current system unchanged.
- Councilor Armstrong concurred, seeing no need to change existing practice.
- Councilor Walker emphasized the importance of supporting volunteer firefighters, warning that losing them could force a costly paid department, and supported leaving the authority with chiefs.
- Mayor added that while no change is needed, the council remains open to hearing future concerns.
Key Outcomes
- The council voted unanimously (9-0) not to approve the proposed ordinance that would have shifted the authority to declare a line-of-duty death from public safety chiefs to the town manager or other officials. The motion to not approve passed with no opposition or abstentions. The existing state law and chief-based determination remain in effect.
Meeting Transcript
Massachusetts delivery. Good evening. And welcome to our special meeting for Monday, September 30th. And we're going to call this meeting to order. I believe all counselors except Councillor Smith. I know he's going to be joining us momentarily, are accounted for. And so we'll move right into public comment. If anyone from the public would like to address the council, you will be given three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address. And I will turn this over to our moderator, Frank and Jillot, for further instructions. Please state your name and address. When you are unmuted, um excuse me. When you are called on, you'll be prompted with you are now unmuted. For those dialing by phone, once prompted, press star six to unmute for clear communication. We ask that you do not place the call on speaker phone. We currently do not have anyone with their hands hand raised online. If we do have a police officer with us this evening, um feel free to use the address of the station, and we will go right into our public comments. There was plenty of opposition to the raised House Bill 5279 from insurance companies, COS, which is Connecticut Council of Small Towns, and CCM, which is the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. But unions and a fire chief from North Haven support it with the discussion of workers' compensation on the table during the raise bill phase. All written testimony is online for you to fact check me. The discussion and testimony behind the scenes speculates saving money and minimizing liability. However, this language was presented and signed by the governor. Such collect declaration by a chief shall not be used as evidence for a workers' compensation claim under Chapter 568. With that being said, I would like to believe that this is not all about liability. However, if so, the alternate option is more expensive on several fronts. I stand boldly on behalf of those that I command, and I thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you. Christopher Wilkie, 171 Carriageway. Council members, I've been a volunteer firefighter in town in Windsor for 15 years. I've served in many committees, organized countless trainings, citizen outreach projects, worked as a firefighter, engineer, and lieutenant within the department. As an estimate, I have given this organization more than 4,000 hours. Multiply this by all who have served the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department in the past and all that served by me now. To the best of our ability and our family's abilities, when the fire department calls, we answer. I found great satisfaction in this service. I made lifelong friends, unbelievable memories, and have gotten to help people on what be the very worst days of their lives. This satisfaction is a salary we volunteers earn as firemen for the town. This satisfaction is paid for with the time we sacrifice to the organization. None of us do this for the occasional t-shirt, tax break, or stipend check. While most of these responses are minor, every time we respond, we are taking a risk. These risks and stressors can be cumulative. In 2023, 54% of the line of duty deaths in the U.S. were attributed to over exertion and strain. These 48 deaths all occurred within 24 hours of their last duty or training. If I die in a line of duty, it will not be me who is left to deal with the repercussions. My wife and my two sons will be left to fill the emotional and financial hole of my passing. There are some mechanisms in place to help lessen this impact, some of which are financial. Most of these benefits are contingent on the death being ruled a line of duty death. It is my opinion that the town should not adopt the ordinance. I do not wish for an uninvolved third party to make a decision that will affect my family's future. I hope that it would be on my family's darkest day.
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