Commission To Budget for Firefighters' Physicals

MILLERTON — At a meeting held at the Millerton firehouse this past Tuesday night, Fire Chief Kieth Roger told the Fire Commission that many members of the Millerton Fire Department are due for physicals.

"We probably should have them done," the chief said to the board. "Then we’ll know what’s going on."

Roger, as well as members of the commission, were a bit confused as to how much the physicals actually cost.

Some said a physical for an interior firefighter, or one that actually enters burning structures and fights blazes, is $125. Others said they thought it cost $75.

Roger said that he thinks it’s a good idea to have all 38 of the department’s firefighters checked out by the end of this year.

"You’re going to have to decide if that’s what you want to do," George Lind, commission chairman, said to the chief. "I’m going to leave it up to you guys."

There was also some confusion about how often older members of the department have to get physicals.

"I think 40 and over, it’s every year," Lenny Morrison, Millerton firefighter, said.

"Some of the older guys are doing more work than the young guys," Roger said.

"We should identify who’s the more active out of the older guys," Lind added. "We’re trying to protect everybody."

"Somebody might have to say to them, ‘You should slow down,’" commissioner Jim Babbitt suggested.

The majority of the commission members said they felt that interior firefighters should get physicals before anybody else.

They also said money will most likely be budgeted for firefighter physicals every year after this year.

A representative from the organization that conducts physicals will be present at the next commission meeting, which takes place Feb. 20 at 7 p.m., to clear up any confusion about prices or how often firefighters need physicals.

In other news, the Millerton Fire Department will hold its annual dinner at the Interlaken Inn in Lakeville, Conn., on March 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Hector "Sandy" McClune, a firefighter who passed while fighting a fire last November, will be honored at the dinner.