Chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee, Stephen Dargan (D-West Haven) organized a forum featuring first responder agencies including police, fire, and emergency medical services with the goal of expanding the scope of emergency response to include such things as a release of radioactive material, an influenza pandemic, and airline passengers arriving in Connecticut with dangerous, contagious conditions.
The forum included formal presentations to committee members and the state's chief elected officials and town managers. The forum also included indoor and outdoor displays of emergency response plans, equipment, and vehicles. Presentations were made by commissioners of appropriate state agencies and some of those accountable for preparedness at the local level.
State Representative Stephen Dargan, House Chair, Public Safety and Security Committee, brought out the bill that created a state-administered fund to help first responders and teachers in Newtown seeking treatment for traumatic stress from the December school shootings. The bill passed both the House and the Senate unanimously. Rep. Dargan told his colleagues "the death of children is the most difficult thing for first responders to deal with." The bill has been signed into law by the Governor.
From left to right: Rep. Dargan, Specialist Nickolas Drake, and Private First Class John Burton.
Rep. Dargan and Detective Kathleen Henry.
Rep. Dargan outside the State Capitol May, 2003.
Rep. Dargan, Rep. Dyson and State Capitol Police Chief Michael Fallon with young visitors from the Capitol Child Development Center.
