Carr plans to rotate firefighters throughout the city’s companies in an effort to help them strengthen their skills to provide better community service.

Carr said that when he arrived in New Britain in September 2004 he noticed the lack of a structured training program, as well as firefighters who appeared to be stagnant in their positions.

"You have some people who have been in their companies for 20 years and yes you’re competent in what you know - but your skills may be lacking in other areas," Carr said. "I feel it’s important for them to move around and work on different companies to become more well-rounded."

But union president Ed Preece believes the recent transfers of 32 individuals was not based on skills.

"It was based on punishment and political affiliation," Preece said. "The majority of the people who were transferred were people in the union or who spoke out against the mayor during election time -- people who supported (mayoral candidate Jason) Jakubowski."

Carr said change sometimes is met with opposition. "Some people may think that we are making changes based on one person. It’s not like that. We don’t work like that. If someone feels the whole department makes changes based on one person, they have a big ego.

"You can’t make everyone happy. I have to look at the long-term effects of what’s best for the city," Carr said. "The value of this program will impact positively on the city. This program is tried and tested in places across the country, including New York City."

Preece said Carr’s vision of everyone learning everything is not practical. "This is not New York City. Let’s face it, this is New Britain."

But Carr said new firefighters can benefit from working with those who have years of experience.

"It’s my priority to ensure that my new people are up to speed and get the experience," Carr said.

"We lose experience when people retire, and it’s prudent to have new firefighters come up to speed quickly. We have to put them in environments where they can learn and with people who are capable of teaching them.

"Ten percent of our calls are fire calls -- it’s giving less firefighting experience to our firefighters, so moving those who are in slower houses to busier houses will give them experience."

Due to the high volume of emergency service calls the fire department receives, Preece said, there are no slow houses. Preece also claims that the program was never officially put in place.

"The transfers were made and we have asked for clarification, but we haven’t received any yet. So of course there are people who are unhappy," Preece said.

Carr said the program is a structured training system of rotation, where people working on engine companies and ladder companies will rotate every couple of years.Preece, on the other hand, sees the program doing more harm than good.

"We had a person who had been here for two years transfered as a truck driver, and he didn’t know how to drive a truck," Preece said. "Who does that fall on? I’d say management."

Deputy Chief Robert Dipietro, who is in change of training, knows that some of the firefighters aren’t happy, but said the city’s welfare is the focus.

"A lot of guys like it, and some aren’t happy about it. They don’t want to move. But it’s a quality-improvement program, where we’ll combine different levels of experience.

"Skills can deteriorate over years, and right now our biggest issue is medical response," Dipietro said. "We need to develop fire officers too, and changes in leaderships at houses will also be good. But the residents will get the best deal."

Franchone Fraser-Ben Reuben Bey can be reached at ffraser@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 221.