Thirty-plus years ago, my first impression of Bridgeport was that I had entered a time machine and been transported back in time. It was almost like stepping into a black-and-white episode of the “Andy Griffith Show.”

 

My neighbors didn’t lock the doors to their cars or homes, people sat on their front porches chatting, and everyone in town seemed to know everyone else. While things have changed somewhat since then,

much of that quaint small-town charm remains.

 

Even though unfortunate things can and sometimes do happen here, they are rare. In a world of increasing violence and crime, the feeling of safety in Bridgeport is no accident. In large part, that feeling is due to the hard work and proactive stance of our three public safety departments: Police, Fire, and Emergency Services. All three departments are among the best equipped and most well trained in the state thanks to the efforts of the previous, as well as today’s, Bridgeport City Council and the City of Bridgeport administration and staff.

 

 The Bridgeport Police Department and its officers, under the direction of Chief Mark Rogers, are visible throughout the city. Rather than sitting back and waiting to respond, the officers are constantly on patrol deterring crime before it happens. If something does occur, they are quickly on the case utilizing the wide range of tools at their disposal.

 

In addition to standard police equipment, the latest tools in the Bridgeport Police arsenal are the Verkada Camera System and the FARO System. The Verkada Camera System is a high-resolution, cloud-based security system currently installed throughout the city. The system’s video footage is quickly searchable and can locate specific people or cars easily and quickly. It has already proven to be a valuable asset to the police and will become an excellent deterrent as word spreads of its effectiveness.

 

The FARO System is used for crime scene analysis. The system uses a laser-based scanner that 3-D maps a scene in immense detail. The precise measurements it obtains allow investigators to collect and retain evidence detail digitally so it can be stored, analyzed, and revisited as often as needed. These tools, along with a talented and well-trained corps of officers and detectives, keep the City of Bridgeport among the safest places in the state.

 

Chief Phil Hart and the Bridgeport Fire Department recently received a Class 1 ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, which is the best you can achieve. At the time it was presented, only two other communities in the state were rated that highly. That lofty accomplishment resulted from our efforts to provide them with the best equipment and facilities possible and the extensive training our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics undergo. Most, if not all, are dual-certified as firefighters and either as EMTs or paramedics.

 

The Bridgeport Fire Department frequently hosts training sessions for firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics from our region and the state. When it comes to the safety and lives of our citizens and those sworn to protect them, you can never be too prepared.

 

The $3.5 million renovation of the downtown fire station is one example of Bridgeport’s commitment and emphasis on our fire department and its staff. The improved state-of-the-art facility will provide our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics the first-class workplace they deserve and serve the citizens of Bridgeport and our surrounding area for decades to come.

 

Over the last year, our new Director of Emergency Services, Tim Curry, has been diligently working to prepare our community for a coordinated response to any emergency that we may encounter. One of Tim’s major tasks has been to update our Emergency Response Plan, which provides step-by-step procedures to follow in the event of an emergency event. The time saved by the plan is critical in

successfully managing the emergency.

 

The recently completed traffic study looked at the types and amounts of hazardous materials transported through the city. Knowing that information allows for specific and specialized training for our first responders, so they can safely respond in the event of an incident.

 

The city was recently awarded the StormReady designation from the National Weather Service. That recognition was partly the result of Tim Curry’s efforts to improve emergency communication throughout the city. Emergency weather radios have been positioned in the city’s schools and government buildings, and substantial upgrades have been completed to the city’s Mobile Command Vehicle communication and computer equipment. A lot has been accomplished over the last year, but more improvements are coming.

 

Often these three city departments go unnoticed. That is until you need them. Then you realize just how lucky we are to have them.

 

So, “Why Bridgeport?” It feels safe because it is. It isn’t the early 1960s anymore. The days of Andy Griffith (no relation, by the way) are gone, even in Bridgeport. Public Safety is something that municipalities must consistently work on and strive to improve. We are doing that here, in Bridgeport, every day. I sleep a little better knowing that.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport Police Chief Mark Rogers explaining the Verkada Camera System to members of City Council, while Fire Chief Phil Hart is shown after the city received an ISO rating of I this past year. In the bottom photo, Director of Emergency Management Tim Curry holds the StormReady sign after the city earned the designation. Cover photo shows some of the city's emergency response members in action.