Four of Hartford's former fire chiefs and the city's current police chief met for the first time Tuesday afternoon as part of a new task force intended to advise the city's troubled fire department and lead the investigation into the line-of-duty death of firefighter Kevin Bell.
Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra appointed the task force last month amid controversy surrounding the department since Bell's death in October. Since the fatal fire on Blue Hills Avenue, questions have swirled about possible equipment and oxygen problems.
Police Chief James Rovella said Tuesday that state police are close to wrapping up the investigation into Bell's death but are waiting on federal agencies to finish testing equipment, including Bell's breathing unit.
A number of department firefighters have also been disciplined for misconduct allegations including drinking on the job, getting into physical fights while on duty, and an off-duty DUI hit-and-run crash, among others.
For this reason, the mayor formed a separate six-member committee to develop a new department code of conduct for firefighters both on and off duty.
The five members of the Fire Department Task Force – including chairman John Stewart, vice chairman Nelson Carter, secretary Edward Casares, Charles Teale and Rovella – held their first official meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hartford City Hall.
"Our citizens want performance," explained Casares. "They pay for a service and they want the service delivered."
Members said the task force hopes to review department training records, staffing levels and response times to fire scenes and has requested access to city records to help them make recommendations.
"It's the responsibility of everyone in the organization to estimate a situation and determine a course of action that is enhanced with proper training, proper education and proper experience," explained former chief Charles Teale, a cousin of Bell's, who asked to be excused from all discussion about Bell's death.
The task force made headlines last month after several members held an impromptu meeting without notifying the public ahead of time.
The group will meet again at 11 a.m. Jan. 29, then every two weeks for the next three months.
"I'm really hoping that what we can do is provide a set of recommendations for the current fire chief to guide the department in the near to distant future," Teale said.
