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Mayor, union and administration push to make Rescue 5 a full‑time unit; council told ordinance and budget changes forthcoming
Summary
City officials said negotiations with the firefighters' union concluded with a recommendation to staff Rescue 5 full time; the administration is drafting an MOU, related ordinances and budget amendments and expects to present specifics to council within days or weeks.
City officials told the Cranston City Council on Nov. 17 that Rescue 5 — historically a part‑time/volunteer daytime rescue shift — is recommended to become a full‑time, permanently staffed rescue unit, and that detailed proposals will be brought to the council soon.
Director Morant (fire administration) said the number of rescue calls has increased and that recent labor negotiations included a provision to evaluate Rescue 5's staffing. "The feeling is to recommend to the council to staff a full time Rescue 5," he said, adding that doing so would reduce overtime currently paid under a voluntary model. Morant described the next steps as drafting a memorandum of understanding with the firefighters' union, a companion ordinance to amend the budget, and formal fiscal notes for council consideration.
Council members from wards affected by Rescue 5 spoke in support and noted the operation generates some revenue through billing (including Medicaid) that offsets costs. Council members also asked why the change was not part of the earlier budget process; administration responded that negotiations concluded after the budget was adopted and the topic therefore arose post‑budget.
Administration said the proposed staffing increase would likely add roughly eight firefighters and that a fiscal analysis is being prepared; officials said they expect to present the full package for council approval in the coming days or weeks.
Next steps: Administration to provide the council with the proposed MOU, ordinance language and fiscal notes; council will consider formal approval once the package is submitted.
