Fire Chief's Introduction I am very pleased to initiate the department's first community plan at a time when major changes are happening within our city. My team and I are committed to the principles of customer value which enables us to provide a more effective service for the people of New Britain. These changes will require us as a department to examine how we work and how we can further enhance the services, we provide to our community. I believe that our plan provides an excellent starting point for the department.. We intend to embrace the actual and anticipated challenges facing us in a positively. The fire department recognizes the importance of making sure that people living and working in New Britain understand what we are trying to achieve and their involvement within this process. It is equally important that our employees also understand what we are trying to achieve, and their contribution in turning the department's vision into reality. Our community plan supports the City's mission, "To provide the opportunity to live and work peacefully and prosperously" More importantly, this community plan reiterates our commitment to develop partnerships within and outside New Britain for the benefit of its citizens. The department is committed to achieve performance excellence and its pursuit of moral and ethical responsibilities as a champion of social justice. The New Britain Fire Department's community plan outlines what we will do in the year 2005 also our future developments and performance outcomes over the next five years. The overall process will be introduced incrementally so that the department has time to learn from our actions and improve the way in which we deliver our services. This plan offer suggestions and proposals for change in the short, medium and long term. This approach maybe perceived as quite bold, and certainly different when it is compared to the way we have historically organized ourselves and delivered our services. However, before any changes are made, it will be supported by evidence, clear understanding and rationale in relation to how the intended change improves the service to the community. The department will consider best practice from wherever it is appropriate, be it nationally or internationally it is also prepared to challenge conventional thinking based on the quality of evidence. I am confident that our department has the people, skills and commitment to deliver the necessary improvements and will to support its employees in maintaining the excellent services currently provided. Please read our plan and feel free to tell us what you think. We value your comments since it is your views which will enable us to meet and exceed your expectations. Yours sincerely Mark Carr Fire Chief City of New Britain Fire Department.