City of New Britain Releases Storm Report

"A city potentially put at risk," was the phrase used in a new report to describe New Britain during the February blizzard.

The city ordered up an independent review and found that it has work to do.

"It was a good opportunity for the city to just review our procedures and our responses during an emergency situation," said New Britain Democratic Alderman David DeFronzo. DeFronzo pushed for the bipartisan committee report.

Several recommendations were made, including the necessity of updating an outdated radio system.

Mayor Tim O'Brien said the upgrade was in the works before the blizzard hit. The improvement would cost about five million dollars.

"We have actually already done most of the things in that report because they also came up in our internal review," said O'Brien.

The city has also begun to compile a list of at-risk populations like the homebound.

"So that we can identify them before a storm and get in touch with them to make sure their needs are met," said DeFronzo.

Even with further preparations being made to battle the next emergency weather event, the city hopes the once-in-a-hundred-year storm really does stay away for the next one hundred years.

The Common Council will hold a special meeting Thursday at 8 p.m. Included on the agenda is discussion of getting funds for items listed on the report including snow blower attachments and heavier equipment.