Latest news with #SeanScanlon
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Scanlon releases special examination on firefighters
WILLIMANTIC — Comptroller Sean Scanlon joined Connecticut fire service leaders to observe International Firefighters Day and released the Office of the State Comptroller's (OSC) Special Examination on Firefighters in Connecticut. This report outlines an extensive survey conducted by the OSC to assess the number of fire departments and firefighters, both career and volunteer, in Connecticut. It also includes key demographic data, such as age. The survey was the first of its kind, as no organization is responsible for tracking these statistics, and the most recent estimate on them was published in 2017.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Public safety crisis:' Report reveals number of firefighters in Connecticut has dropped immensely
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Just two days after international firefighter appreciation day, state leaders are sounding the alarm after a new report detailed a drastic decline in the number of firefighters in Connecticut. State Comptroller Sean Scanlon issued a report on Tuesday outlining a 50% reduction in the overall number of firefighters since 2017 — with a 62% of reduction in the number of volunteer firefighters accounting for the bulk of the losses. 'When 51% of the communities in our state are served exclusively by volunteer departments, that 60% cut is being felt in communities everywhere,' Scanlon said. 'This just isn't a firefighter crisis,' Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, the official who leads the agency that houses oversees the State Police and state fire marshals, said. 'This is a public safety crisis.' Legislature votes unanimously to pass bill benefitting firefighter, veteran and military families Scanlon's report noted a slight increase in the number of professional firefighters. That is, an increase in the number of paid, full-time firefighters who mainly service the state's large cities and suburbs. But even among the state's largest fire departments, recruiting and retaining firefighters has been a challenge. 'In 2011, we had over 2,000 applications for the job here — probably one of the most honorable professions that [you can] ask a person to do,' Arturo Rosa, the head of the union representing Hartford firefighters, said. 'As of this last run, we had 191 applications.' News 8 spent Tuesday afternoon at Engine Co. 1 and Ladder Co. 6 of the Hartford Fire Department. In just a few hours, firefighters responded to multiple calls, many of them for medical emergencies — a duty that has increasingly fallen on the fire service. Several of the firefighters had been on duty for more than 24 hours, manning the busiest firehouse in the capital city. Rosa said high demand and stagnant, inflation-tarnished wages have contributed to decreased interest among potential recruits and placed strain on experienced firefighters. 'We're being asked to do more, inclusive of putting our lives on the line, with less,' Rosa said. 'We're being paid less. We're being asked to do more and being paid less. That, at its bare minimum, is probably at the crux of the whole issue.' Firefighters are also burdened with rates of cancer that exceed the general population. 'People knew for a long time that firefighting is a dangerous job,' Peter Brown, the statewide president of the professional firefighters union, said. 'You crawl into a burning building, its dangerous. You can get hurt, you can get killed. I don't think any of us signed up to — ten, fifteen years down the road — contract some horrible cancer.' The confluence of crises facing firefighters has led the politically powerful union that represents their professional ranks to urge the state legislature to act. Lawmakers have already established, and recently bolstered, a fund to help pay for cancer treatment. Pending legislation would increase funding for treatment by implementing a fee of five cents per month on Connecticut phone bills. There is also proposed legislation intended to boost recruitment and retention. Legislation to support the fire services typically enjoys bipartisan support. Rosa, the Hartford firefighters union president, said the vote on the bill to provide more funding for cancer treatment will be a test of how far that support truly goes. 'They stand next to us when its time to run for office and these are the times that we need them,' Rosa said. 'We stand with you in the picture to say 'Hey, here's a good that's gonna do a particular job.' This is the time that we need them to stand by us, and its with their vote.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Connecticut lawmakers commemorate International Firefighters' Day
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State lawmakers will gather at the Capitol to recognize 'International Firefighters' Day,' which fell over the weekend. International Firefighters' Day was this past Sunday. It's a day where people are encouraged to stop and reflect on the sacrifices made by firefighters past & present. Wethersfield community honors and remembers fallen firefighter Robert Sharkevich To honor this day in their way, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, fire chiefs and advocates, legislators, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Personnel will meet at the capital on Tuesday. To release a new report on the state of firefighting in Connecticut This report features a first-of-its-kind survey of career and volunteer fire departments in the state. News 8 is told it will offer unique insights and recommendations. There were multiple memorials in honor of this over the weekend. In Emmitsburg, Maryland, one tribute honored 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year and 70 more who died in previous years. Wethersfield firefighter Robert Sharkevich, senior, was among those recognized for his service and sacrifice to his community. The new report is being discussed at 11 a.m. at the capital. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Connecticut lawmakers to discuss youth mental health ‘crisis' for Mental Health Awareness Month
FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — State lawmakers are set to discuss Connecticut's youth mental health crisis. They'll meet with public health experts and advocates Monday for a timely conversation, as it is Mental Health Awareness Month. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon will meet with teachers, students, and public health experts to discuss what they are calling a 'crisis,' not only in Connecticut but nationwide. Lawmakers look into rising insurance costs They're citing a 2024 report from the Office of the Child Advocate, which revealed that youth suicide rates are 'staggering' and that the age of children dying by suicide in Connecticut is getting younger and younger. This conversation comes after the trump administration recently announced it will not renew Biden-era grants aimed at boosting mental health services in schools. The $1 billion grants were created under the 'Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.' The anti-gun violence law was signed after the mass school shooting in Uvalde, claim the cuts are because the grants are not being used to improve students ' mental health, but rather have been used to fund 'race-based actions.' Meanwhile, the American Federation of Teachers president is calling this a 'direct attack on the safety and well-being of children.' In Connecticut, Blementhal said the grant money was used to hire more psychologists, counselors, and other mental health workers. Our state received over $8 million through the program. This conversation is happening at 10 a.m. at Farmington High School Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CSCU chancellor will transition into new role, Board of Regents says
The video above aired in December of 2024, when Comptroller Sean Scanlon released an independent audit of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) System. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will be stepping away from his role soon, according to the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. Officials said the board and Chancellor Terrence Cheng have mutually agreed not to extend his contact beyond its current end date of June 30, 2026. Connecticut comptroller's college system audit reveals 'systematic' misuse of state funds Starting on July 1, 2025, they said Cheng will also transition into a new role as strategic advisory to the board. An interim chancellor is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 'I am incredibly proud of the work we have done to eliminate barriers to higher education, and increase educational access, equity, and opportunity for students, particularly for first-generation and minoritized students. Together, we have opened new doors for students and changed the trajectory of their lives,' Cheng said in a statement. The chair of the board thanked Cheng for his work, while looking forward to taking the system in 'a new direction.' Connecticut state colleges see increase in student enrollment 'I thank Chancellor Cheng for his hard work, partnership, and dedication to the system,' Chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education Marty Guay said. 'The future is bright for CSCU as we look to set a new direction for the system.' Cheng's term as chancellor was the subject of last year's independent audit of the college system, which found a systematic misuse of taxpayers funds. Comptroller Sean Scanlon released the audit in December, at request of Governor Ned Lamont, who said in late October reports of 'controversial spending decisions' raised concerns. The office was provided over 780,000 transactions from July 1, 2021, to the end of October 2024, which was purposefully chosen to line up with Cheng's term. Scanlon said the audit found bills for expensive meals, delivery services, room service, dry cleaning, tickets to events unrelated to schools, Eversource and cell phone bills for students without clear adherence to a policy. Cheng's P-Card expenses stood out in the report, which found the chancellor spent $19,000 on food over the three year period, and many of the meals violated state policy. Since the report came out, Senate and House GOP members have called for Cheng's removal. 'Chancellor Cheng should have resigned long ago. Republicans demanded that he do so. Gov. Lamont should have demanded that resignation,' Sen. Henri Martin, Sen. Rob Sampson and Sen. Stephen Harding said in a statement released Monday. House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora and State Rep. Seth Bronko shared the following statement: 'Given the well-deserved controversy over Terrence Cheng's flagrant — if not infamous — spending abuses, and the systemwide revolt by staff against his leadership, his departure as chancellor is long overdue. Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild. Unfortunately, students, parents, and taxpayers won't be able to move on so easily, as Mr. Cheng will remain on the payroll as a 'strategic advisor' for the final year of his contract. Going forward, the Board of Regents must ensure that contracts for this position prioritize the interests of the state — and that far stronger oversight is finally put in place.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
