Saying the head of the New Canaan Fire Department committed an ethics violation, unduly influenced promotions and has failed to address problems with equipment, the local firefighters union last week took a vote of no-confidence in the fire chief.
In a letter dated Nov. 24 (available here and below in full), New Canaan Firefighters Local 3224 said the Fire Commission’s five-day suspension last month of Chief Albe Bassett—a matter addressed in executive session, out of the public eye—was related to “outside business activity,” representing “a profound breach of trust that the Union cannot ignore and will not minimize.”
“The report specifically states ‘Chief Bassett’s failure to disclose his financial interest and recuse himself from the examination process constitutes a violation of the Ethics Code,’ ” the union’s letter said. “He was subsequently suspended for five days without pay by the Fire Commission.”
It wasn’t immediately clear what business the letter referred to. The Fire Commission during a Nov. 4 special meeting held a pre-disciplinary hearing in executive session. Afterwards, the Commission voted 3-0 to “suspend the chief for five days without pay effective Nov. 17 based on the ethical concerns stated in the investigation report,” the appointed body’s secretary said at the meeting.
During a subsequent meeting, on Nov. 11, Bassett provided the Fire Commission with a letter detailing his employment outside of the department. Commission Chair Jack Horner, whose term was set to expire Dec. 2, announced his retirement at the same meeting.
Bassett declined to comment when reached by NewCanaanite.com, citing ongoing investigation by the Fire Commission.
The town hired Bassett as assistant fire chief in August 2021. He had worked since 1992 for the fire department in Norwalk.
The union said that Bassett exceeded his authority as outlined in its CBA during a recent promotional process. Though the Fire Commission made final selections, “the overall process was clouded by actions that created the appearance of undue influence,” the no-confidence letter said.
“That appearance alone damages confidence in any future promotion overseen by leadership whose ethical judgement has already been formally questioned,” the letter said. (The Fire Commission in September reviewed a “Promotional Process Grievance” in executive session, and unanimously denied it.)
Finally, firefighters said in the letter that they’ve “expressed safety concerns over the management and maintenance of the fire apparatus,” including “[s]top engine warnings, fire pump problems, low coolant alarms, leaking hub seals, braking system air leaks, water tank leaks and broken compartment doors.” Yet those issues “remain unresolved,” the letter said.
“Confusion and frustration grows as conflicting emails emanate from the Chief’s office over apparatus in service status,” the letter said.
It adds: “For the Union, these matters are far more than administrative irregularities. They represent a fundamental breakdown in leadership. When the Fire Chief who sets the tone for the entire department is found to have violated the Town Code of Ethics, and when additional complaints remain unanswered, our members cannot be expected to place faith in the impartiality or integrity of the management structure above them. The New Canaan Firefighters Union cannot and will not trust a leadership environment compromised by such unresolved and concerning circumstances. For the reasons listed above along with other internal concerns, the New Canaan Firefighters Union has formally filed a Vote of No Confidence in Fire Chief Albert Bassett.”
It isn’t clear when the Fire Commission will meet next. There’s no December meeting scheduled, according to the government calendar on the town website.
Below is the full text of the union’s letter. [Note: Comments are disabled on this article.]
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November 24, 2025
The New Canaan Firefighters Union stands unequivocally for integrity, accountability, and the fair treatment of every firefighter that we represent. These are not negotiable principles, they are the foundation of a functional, safe, and respected fire service. When the highest ranking officer in the department is suspended for ethics violations confirmed by a Town investigation, it represents a profound breach of trust that the Union cannot ignore and will not minimize.
During this Summer’s promotional process, serious concerns arose regarding outside business activity connected to Chief Albert Bassett. It became known that Chief Bassett had a financial interest in a promotional consulting company utilized by some candidates within the department. Following an ethics complaint filed with the Town, the investigation report concluded that Chief Bassett violated ethics provisions related to conflicts of interest. The report specifically states “Chief Bassett’s failure to disclose his financial interest and recuse himself from the examination process constitutes a violation of the Ethics Code”. He was subsequently suspended for five days without pay by the Fire Commission.
Compounding these issues was the Chief’s level of involvement in the promotional process. From the Union’s perspective, Chief Bassett exceeded the authority clearly outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Although the Fire Commission made the final selections, the overall process was clouded by actions that created the appearance of undue influence. That appearance alone damages confidence in any future promotion overseen by leadership whose ethical judgement has already been formally questioned.
Additionally, department members have expressed safety concerns over the management and maintenance of the fire apparatus. Stop engine warnings, fire pump problems, low coolant alarms, leaking hub seals, braking system air leaks, water tank leaks and broken compartment doors are a few examples of issues which have been reported for months yet remain unresolved. Confusion and frustration grows as conflicting emails emanate from the Chief’s office over apparatus in service status.
For the Union, these matters are far more than administrative irregularities. They represent a fundamental breakdown in leadership. When the Fire Chief who sets the tone for the entire department is found to have violated the Town Code of Ethics, and when additional complaints remain unanswered, our members cannot be expected to place faith in the impartiality or integrity of the management structure above them. The New Canaan Firefighters Union cannot and will not trust a leadership environment compromised by such unresolved and concerning circumstances. For the reasons listed above along with other internal concerns, the New Canaan Firefighters Union has formally filed a Vote of No Confidence in Fire Chief Albert Bassett.
Despite this, we remain committed to providing the best possible service to the citizens of New Canaan. Professionalism does not mean silence in the face of misconduct. We expect transparency, timely responses to complaints, truthfulness, corrective action where warranted, and absolute adherence to ethical standards at every rank starting from the top. We demand department leadership that models integrity, not leadership that erodes it. Our firefighters and the residents of New Canaan deserve nothing less.
Respectfully,
New Canaan Firefighters
Local 3224