Steve Krauchick of Doing It Local shares this video report about an investment in public safety to assist police and fire department personnel driving in emergency conditions.
When a police officer leaves the academy they continue to get training on everything except police driving refresher courses, that is until now. The city of Bridgeport has invested in a simulator that will help assist both the police and fire department drive emergency vehicles in number of conditions, from rain to snow, drivers ignoring lights and sirens and kids running in front of their vehicle. Other instruction included teaching firefighters to not only watch the road but also read the horizon for smoke in the distance.
In the last ten years across the country 434 police officer have been killed automotive accidents. In 2013 and 2014 the city of Bridgeport received over $800,000 in motor vehicle related worker’s compensation claims. The simulator will give Bridgeport Police and Firefighters on going hands on training.
Calling for help on this one from OIB readers with memory of driving mishaps on the part of City officials, whether using City vehicles any time or their own vehicles while performing City service. It seems more than once I have read reports on OIB of the Police Chief and Fire Chief among others including Mayor Finch who had “mishaps” with or without charges that resulted in auto damage. Without knowing about fault, but especially if the City has been sued, is there any intention to require blocks of training for such persons in the future if involved in auto events that put the City at risk? Who is in charge of the new equipment? What are the rules governing its use and measuring its effectiveness? What did it cost as a lump sum? Capital budget or operating? Time will tell.
Wow, again fiscal negativity. I believe it’s housed in the EOC on north Washington avenue is owned by police/fire paid one time bill out of money allocated in capital police budget for this year which I believe the line item requested $2 million. The city gave them 1.4 or 1.5 with intent to bond rest after election. Simulator cost something like 125 thousand and is obligated I believe by law for emergency operation training annually, and Ganim took remaining 1.3 or 1.4 to balance budget. I guess you can FOI all the lawsuits, good luck with that, lol.
*** Even if it saves one life, it was worth the money! *** SAFETY FIRST ***