$3.1M in Funding: For police and fire training facility
BRISTOL — Congressman John Larson and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz presented city leaders with a check for a $3,150,000 federal earmark to “jumpstart the city’s plans for a joint police and fire training facility.”
Larson and Bysiewicz presented a large check to local police and fire commissioners at City Hall. They were joined by Rep. Mary Fortier, members of the City Council, Officer Alec Iurato, Fire Chief Richard Hart and Police Chief Mark Morello.
Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu said this federal money would be used to create a joint police and fire training facility that would also serve the region. An exact location for the facility has not yet been determined. The concept of the regional training facility was put forth by Bristol Police Officers Iurato and Charles Jacobs as well as the fire chief.
“We may look into a land acquisition or city-used land,” Zoppo-Sassu said. “This will probably be in the works for two-plus years.”
Zoppo-Sassu said the project is currently in the early phases of discussion. In addition to the federal money, Zoppo-Sassu said the city will likely also be seeking state funding and to bond for city funding.
“Right now it is a conceptual idea,” she said.
If created, Zoppo-Sassu said, the facility would be “the first of its kind in the New England area and a potential source of revenue for Bristol.”