Governor Ned Lamont announced the launch of Fire Safe CT, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing fire-related tragedies through public education and community support. The effort brings together state and local agencies, health experts, and fire service professionals to protect Connecticut residents from the dangers of fire.

“Keeping families safe is our top priority,” Governor Lamont said. “Fire Safe CT unites expertise in public safety, health care, and the environment to keep residents informed and protected. It’s a true model of collaboration.”

The program is led by the Connecticut Office of the State Fire Marshal (within the Department of Administrative Services), the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, the Connecticut Fire Academy (both within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection), and the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is also involved, with a focus on outdoor fire risks.

Fire Safe CT has two main goals:

• Public Education – Sharing practical fire prevention tips through multimedia campaigns, with a focus on home safety, outdoor fire management, and burn prevention.
• Community Empowerment – Providing local fire departments and municipal fire marshals with the resources, materials, and support to strengthen community fire prevention.

DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman said the initiative will deliver “consistent, effective prevention tools” to help leaders and first responders engage communities and save lives.

DESPP Commissioner Ronnell Higgins emphasized its comprehensive approach, noting that it connects every part of the fire safety system—from investigation to education to training.

State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert added that the program is “not just a campaign but a long-term commitment to prevention,” empowering residents and firefighters to take life-saving steps now.

Alan Zygmunt of the Connecticut Fire Academy said the initiative will expand outreach by giving departments more resources to strengthen local programs.

Dr. Alisa Savetamal, medical director of the Connecticut Burn Center, stressed the importance of prevention alongside treatment, highlighting the center’s role in ensuring all families have access to up-to-date safety information.

DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes noted that almost all Connecticut wildfires are human-caused and preventable. She urged residents to follow outdoor burning best practices—such as checking daily fire danger levels, obtaining permits for debris burning, and making sure campfires are completely extinguished before leaving.

The initiative’s website, ct.gov/firesafe, provides downloadable resources for individuals and communities, including social media toolkits, campaign templates, outreach materials, and home and business fire risk checklists.

Connecticut residents can also follow Fire Safe CT on social media:

• Instagram: @fire_safe_ct
• Facebook: Fire Safe CT
• YouTube: @FireSafeCT