Connecticut Unveils Incentive Programs to Address Public Safety Staffing Woes

New legislation aims to boost recruitment and retention of police officers and firefighters across the state.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has introduced new legislation, HB 5046, that would create two incentive programs to address the growing recruitment and retention challenges facing police and fire departments across the state. The proposed programs would waive tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for those who serve for at least five years, and also provide mortgage assistance to help new recruits live in the communities they serve.

Why it matters

Connecticut has seen a significant decline in volunteer firefighters and state police staffing levels in recent years, with a 2025 study finding a nearly 60% drop in volunteer firefighters since 2018. This staffing crisis has raised concerns about public safety, prompting the state to seek new ways to attract and retain public safety personnel.

The details

The new legislation, backed by public safety leaders, would establish two key incentive programs. The first would waive tuition and fees at all Connecticut public colleges and universities for those who commit to at least five years of service as a police officer or firefighter. The second program would direct the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to create a mortgage assistance program to help these new recruits afford to live in the communities they serve.

  • In 2025, a study found that volunteer fire departments in Connecticut had lost nearly 60% of their volunteers since 2018.
  • Connecticut State Police currently has hundreds of troopers below its desired staffing level.

The players

Ned Lamont

The Governor of Connecticut who introduced the new legislation to address public safety staffing challenges.

Jeffrey Morrissette

The State Fire Administrator who acknowledged the "breaking point" facing public safety and public service in Connecticut.

Vincent Demaio

The Clinton Fire Chief who said the crisis is that "we can't find enough people to do the job, and the people that are doing the job don't feel appreciated or supported and are leaving."

James Rutkauski

The president of the Hartford Police Union who believes the 2020 police accountability bill is directly responsible for the staffing issues, arguing it "vilified police officers" and hurt morale.

Shelly Carter

The Hamden Fire Chief who said the public safety ecosystem needs to become "more visible" and "more inclusive" to attract a diverse pool of applicants.

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What they’re saying

“We know that public safety and public service are at a breaking point right now.”

— Jeffrey Morrissette, State Fire Administrator

“Our crisis now is we can't find enough people to do the job, and the people that are doing the job don't feel appreciated or supported and are leaving.”

— Vincent Demaio, Clinton Fire Chief

“This is just one small way of saying thank you for what you do.”

— Ned Lamont

“Any support we see I think helps shed light on, we are supported, we need people.”

— Vincent Demaio, Clinton Fire Chief

“You can't be what you cant see, we have to become more visible, we have to be a more inclusive organization we need to make sure we give voice, and leadership and visuality to everyone.”

— Shelly Carter, Hamden Fire Chief

What’s next

The new legislation, HB 5046, must now go through the Connecticut state legislative process for consideration and potential passage into law.

The takeaway

Connecticut's public safety staffing crisis has reached a critical point, with steep declines in volunteer firefighters and state police troopers. The new incentive programs proposed by Governor Lamont aim to make careers in law enforcement and firefighting more appealing and accessible, but experts say more comprehensive solutions are still needed to address the underlying issues of morale, training, and diversity within these essential public services.