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Council approves three probationary firefighter hires to protect SAFER grant funds amid staffing concerns
Summary
To avoid potential clawback of SAFER grant money, the council approved hiring three probationary firefighters and related bulk purchasing for equipment; councilors raised concerns about the town's longer-term staffing plan for SAFER-funded positions.
The Narragansett Town Council approved hiring three probationary firefighters on Sept. 3 to replace recent retirees, a step Town Manager Jim Tierney said is necessary to avoid risking the SAFER grant.
Tierney said failing to replace the departed firefighters could jeopardize the town's SAFER grant and that the hiring decision also reflects obligations under collective bargaining agreements to maintain minimum staffing. Councilors pressed for clarity on how the three hires would fit with eight positions currently funded under the SAFER grant, and whether the town had a plan for staffing after the grant period ends. Councilor Kopeck and others expressed concern about the timing and the lack of a fully developed staffing rotation plan.
Tierney and Chief Corrigan said that the three positions are probationary replacements and that the council has approved a budget for the current fiscal year to retain the SAFER-funded positions through June 30. The manager warned that failing to hire could trigger clawback of some or all of the town's roughly $3 million in SAFER funds. The council approved the hires by voice vote; the record includes one abstention during the roll call sequence.
The council also approved bulk purchasing of equipment, uniforms and training for the three hires, not to exceed $36,000.
