International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1739

Organized in 1967, Local 1739 represents the 36 professional fire fighters that protect the Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut.  We operate out of two stations responding to fire, rescue, and emergency medical calls in the town.

Our staff consists of four shifts that work rotating 24-hour shifts.  The union also represents the town's Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshals.

Fire Services

Our primary objective is to promptly respond to any report of fire, smoke, or alarm.  All career firefighters are certified by the State of Connecticut's Commission on Fire Prevention and Control to a minimum level of Fire Fighter II.  Our Lieutenants and Captains are certified in the levels of Fire Officer I, Fire Service Instructor I & Fire Safety Officer.  The majority of our career staff have also obtained training and certifications above the minimum requirements of the town.

Emergency Medical Services

The Ridgefield Professional Fire Fighters are responsible for handling the medical emergencies within the Town of Ridgefield.  A minimum of fifteen career firefighters are licensed by the State of Connecticut as Paramedics and are capable of delivering the highest level of prehospital emergency care possible.  Paramedics receive extensive training on how to handle medical emergencies such as heart attacks, breathing problems, strokes, and diabetic emergencies.  In most cases, Ridgefield's Paramedics are able to administer the same medications administered by emergency room physicians allowing a patient's treatment to begin on the way to the hospital.  The Ridgefield ambulances will transport patients to Danbury Hospital or Norwalk Hospital.

Two advanced life support ambulances are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by career firefighters. One ambulance is also dispatched whenever Engine 1 responds to a fire alarm or investigation to ensure that four career firefighters arrive on the scene of a fire emergency.  This ensures to cover OSHA standards of Two-in/Two-out procedures in firefighting/IDLH environments. This standard requires that at least two employees be located outside the IDLH atmosphere, thus the term, "two in/two out". 

For example, if a fire alarm is called in on Main street, the response is Engine 1, Engine 2, and a medic unit. The ambulance is dispatched as well because the all crew on an ambulance are also certified firefighters. 

Rescue Services

As the needs of the town have changed, the Ridgefield Professional Fire Fighters have adapted to meet these new unique challenges.  Both of our career engines are equipped with eDraulic rescue equipment and our career staff has received extensive training on vehicle rescue techniques.

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