The Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Governor of Connecticut
Executive Chambers
State Capitol
Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Governor Rell:

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) is pleased to learn of your recent announcement to provide local first responders with direct access to real-time video from traffic cameras along Interstate 95. As articulated in my letter to Commissionar Carpenter on July 17th, it is imperative that local first responders - the emergency personnel usually first on-scene - are equipped with the most accurate and up-to-date information available in order to enhance their response and recovery efforts.

The decision to share access to this information with local emergency personnel improves the safety of state residents and strengthens Connecticut's vital local-state partnership.

There are additional traffic cameras supplied by, and the property of, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) along interstate 84, 91, and route 2 that could also aid local emergency personnel who respond to incidents on these roadways. CCM asks that the decision to provide local first responders with direct access to real-time video apply to all ConnDOT traffic cameras.

It is unclear whether your recent announcement applies only to I-95 traffic cameras, or to all ConnDOT cameras - both existing cameras, as well as those planned for future installment.

I look forward to your clarification on this matter. On behalf of CCM I thank you for your leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,

James J. Finley, Jr.
Executive Director & CEO

cc: Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter, ConnDOT
Commissioner James M. Thomas, DEMHS
Commissioner John A. Danaher III, DPS
Hon. Woody Bliss, First Selectman, Weston