Fire Department Support

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Fire Department Support

Smokey Bear

Suit:

The Division of Forestry's Forest Protection program has multiple Smokey Bear suits available on loan for fire departments throughout the state for fire prevention related events. Specific guidelines must be followed while wearing the Smokey suit. Suits must be picked up by the interested fire department. If interested in using our Smokey suits, please review the Smokey Bear Program Policy, fill out the Smokey Bear Appearance Request Form (Word Form PDF Version), and email or send it to your local forestry office listed on the form.

Prevention Materials:

Smokey Bear prevention materials are available to fire departments to distribute while performing fire education programs. Items include pencils, stickers, coloring books, rulers, key chains, publications, and more. Materials must be picked up by the department. If interested, please fill out the Smokey Bear Request Form (Word Form PDF version) and email or send it to your local forestry office listed on the form.

Forestry Hose Exchange

How does the program work?

To perform a fire hose exchange:

The fire department purchases their own hose similar to hose that CT DEEP Forest Protection uses (Forestguard II, 1 ½’ NH thread).
Next, notify the DEEP Fire Control Officer about the fire that the hose was used on, either by calling DEEP's Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333 or call the Fire Control Officer directly.
It is a hose bag to hose bag swap, meaning 1 hose bag of 300 feet that was used to 1 hose bag of 300 feet that has been cleaned and tested.

Single lengths of hose may be exchanged on a case by case basis only.

Red hose bags must be provided with used hose.

If hose or bag are damaged, turn in cut off couplings or buckle in order to be replaced with new hose.

Be aware having fire department names or initials on hose or hose bag that it is not a guarantee we will be able to get that specific hose back to your department.

How does the exchange occur?

The Fire Control Officer will make arrangements to come to your department to perform the fire hose exchange.
Please loosely roll dirty hose or use another easy hose roll method to assist in ease of re-laying hose to be cleaned and tested.
The hose bag from the Fire Control Officer will include: 300 feet of cleaned hose tested to standard for 1 ½” forestry hose. This hose is packed in a certain way, which allows for the firefighter to connect the female end first to the truck, then carry the hose bag like a back pack to easily stretch out the hose to the desired location of fire and easily connect nozzle to male end of hose.

Please be advised it may take a few days for a response, especially in busy times. If the hose exchange is an emergency, call DEEP's 24-hour Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333.

Fire Department Response Assistance

Fire Departments throughout the state may request assistance from the DEEP Forest Protection Program while on an active brush fire. Fire Control Officers or a representative can provide: