Meriden Shuts Down Volunteer Fire Dept After 117 Years

The City of Meriden, Connecticut, is deactivating the South Meriden Volunteer Fire Department, Engine Company 6, after 117 years of service due to a significant drop in volunteer numbers and ongoing budget constraints. Volunteer membership fell from a peak of 35-40 in the 1990s to just five active members, mirroring a broader 63% statewide decline in volunteerism since 2017. The city chose not to fund roughly $70,000 for volunteer equipment, reinforcing the decision to dissolve the unit. Station 6 has been staffed by full-time firefighters since 2019, and officials stress that fire protection and response times will remain unaffected. The closure has prompted expressions of pride and gratitude from community members and volunteers. The volunteer unit will remain active until December 31, after which only professional firefighters will staff the station.