Providence firefighters continue to retire, leave department

BY TONY GUGLIOTTA, NBC 10 NEWS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH 2015

Providence firefighters are leaving the department at an alarming rate following Mayor Jorge Elorza’s newly implemented longer shifts. (WJAR)

Providence firefighters are leaving the department at an alarming rate.

According to statistics NBC 10 received from the city, this year, 43 firefighters have retired, six have resigned, and three more are out on disability. Compare that to a typical year that sees around 15 to 20 retirements, and the department is shorthanded.

On Tuesday, NBC 10 obtained a copy of a resignation letter submitted by a young firefighter who has only been on the department for three years.

In the letter, the firefighter said that Mayor Jorge Elorza's actions have been "deceitful," and said he has sought other employment for the "preservation of his family."

That firefighter has accepted another job at another department.

Fire union president Paul Doughty said firefighters have been retiring ever since Elorza imposed a three-shift schedule, resulting in a longer work week. But now something new is thinning the ranks: newer firefighters who are nowhere near retiring are taking jobs with other departments.

"Just yesterday, we had a rescue captain, working on the biggest rescue in the city, work 96 hours straight," Doughty told NBC 10 News.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare spoke to NBC 10 on behalf of the city. He said cities across the country are moving toward a three-platoon system, and no matter where these firefighters go, they will end up working within a system similar to here.

Pare said that it takes about a year for a firefighter to go from recruit, to a boots-on-the-ground contributor. In the meantime, he said, the incumbent firefighters need to take responsibility for their actions.

"They got to look themselves in the mirror and decide whether they want to be honest with themselves and honest to the city that has trained and invested so much in them," Pare said.

Pare also confirmed that the city is disciplining firefighters for taking unnecessary sick time - time that may be used when a person is not sick. As retirement numbers spike, the city saves that money on the highest-paid firefighters, but it is spending money on recruitment and training, too. When the youngsters leave, it takes more money to fill their roles.

"We typically have not had firefighters leave this fire department for other municipalities," said Pare.

"There are a number of fire departments that are hiring right now in Rhode Island," said Doughty. "The information given to me is that there are a number of Providence firefighters that have applied."

The city told NBC 10 that there is no set time a firefighter must work in Providence following academy training before he/she can leave for another department. There is a mechanism like that in place for the police department, and that may be an option down the road for the fire department.