Fire Department leans on other cities, towns to cover for downed apparatuses

By Ethan Hartley
Posted 8/9/18

By ETHAN HARTLEY If you did a double take while driving through Apponaug recently because you saw multiple fire apparatuses from several other communities parked at Warwick's Station 1, no, you don't need new glasses. These trucks, from places such as

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Fire Department leans on other cities, towns to cover for downed apparatuses

Posted

If you did a double take while driving through Apponaug recently because you saw multiple fire apparatuses from several other communities parked at Warwick’s Station 1, no, you don’t need new glasses.

These trucks, from places such as North Providence, Cranston, North Kingstown and West Warwick, are actually reserve trucks being lent to Warwick by those municipalities to compensate for as many as six Warwick Fire Department vehicles that were off the road in various states of disrepair this week – two of which are reportedly the newest apparatus purchased by the city; the most recent in 2015.

“We've had issues with our aging fleet,” said Michael Carreiro, president of the IAFF Local 2748 Warwick Firefighters Union. “We've had mechanical issues, electrical issues, and it’s not safe for us to be using these as frontline apparatus. We don’t have any reserve apparatuses to replace them with for the frontline.”

Carreiro said that Engines 1, 6, 8 and 10, along with a ladder truck and a rescue ambulance have experienced issues that necessitated they be taken out of commission for repairs in recent days, requiring the department to lean on available reserve apparatuses of other communities to compensate.

According to Carreiro, having other communities lend apparatus to Warwick does not cost anything extra to the city, and the trucks would respond from stations in Warwick in the event they needed to be used, so there shouldn’t be issues such as longer response times to deal with.

“It's mutual respect between most of the communities,” Carreiro said. “If we had our full fleet in service, we would loan to them, and vice versa.”

The city, however, is responsible for repairing any breakdown to equipment while it is in its use.

Carreiro said that a variety of issues take the trucks off the road for repairs. He said the issue that took the rescue out of commission was the air conditioning stopped working, which in this recent heat wave could put victims being ferried at risk of harm.

Other issues have included blown fuses and other quick but persistent fixes, such as a reoccurring problem with one truck’s windshield, according to acting DPW Director Mathew Solitro. Solitro said that he wasn’t concerned with the high volume of trucks currently experiencing issues.

“That's an anomaly, it's generally not that high,” he said of the recent string of necessary repairs, adding that there was a full-time mechanic within the Department of Public Works dedicated to working solely on fire apparatuses. “It doesn’t concern me only because we have a routine maintenance schedule and do a ton of repairs to vehicles, so no.”

However, Carreiro and other firefighters (a few visited the Beacon office on Tuesday) say that this is merely an extreme symptom of a problem that has been ongoing for a long time. Carreiro said that, outside of grant money, the city has not invested in a new fire truck in more than two years.

“When you have trucks that are 15, 20 years old, things start breaking down and things have to get replaced,” he said. “It's only going to get worse if we don’t address the issue.”

Last September, the fire department brought forward a request to purchase a new truck for $350,000 – which was $80,000 lower than its regular sale price and included $10,000 in optional equipment at no extra charge. The reasoning was that Engines 1 and 8, which had each clocked over 170,000 miles at that time, needed to be replaced and the department’s reserve trucks were “on their last leg.” However, the City Council Finance Committee shot down the request outright, saying they couldn’t commit the funding so early in the fiscal year.

Mayor Joseph Solomon said on Wednesday that it was misleading to insinuate that age is the underlying factor in why fire apparatus are being decommissioned when one of the down trucks is newer than most in the fleet and another is, in fact, the newest. He said that he has learned the 2015 truck, manufactured by Pierce, has a mechanical suspension flaw that has become so widespread it triggered a safety advisory from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“To say the equipment is antiquated and that's why it's out of commission, I would say that the problem is when this equipment was spec'd out, they should have known, or maybe they didn't know at the time, that there has been a problem with this type of suspension system,” Solomon said.

Solomon said that the reserve equipment lent from other communities were also aging and had more mileage than some of the Warwick equipment, but were running fine.

“It's a matter of keeping good maintenance of these items, keeping them up to date and staying on top of them,” he said, adding that he gave the city’s DPW “five stars” for the job they’ve done maintaining the city’s fleet of emergency and municipal vehicles.

As Solomon was the City Council President when the last request for a new fire truck came before the council, he reiterated a need for good due diligence to ensure that the city not only had the financial means to afford new vehicles, but that the vehicle wasn’t prone to mechanical failures like the 2015 Pierce truck is now experiencing.

“Under my administration, before we acquire apparatus that is recommended to us by the fire department, or any department, we will perform our due diligence as to the longevity and the problems related to that apparatus and maintenance costs of that apparatus,” he said.

Comments

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  • PaulHuff

    Mr. Solomon....lives are at stake here. You, and the city council, need to put some funds towards the fleet. Our fire and police departments shouldn’t be utilizing antiquated (yes this fleet is old) vehicles.

    Thursday, August 9, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    The last thing that the city need is more apparatus. What most people do not understand is that "minimum apparatus clause" predicates minimum manning, which predicates overtime. If the "fleet" is in such dis-repair, then why is Engine 6, Engine 8, the cannibalized Engine 13, Ladder 1, and Ladder 3 (and others) all out shopping every day? Not withstanding the joy rides to Oakland Beach.

    This equipment should only move during a bonafide emergency. PERIOD! Every time an apparatus rolls, for whatever reason, it cost the taxpayer money in fuel, wear and tear, and maintenance. Too bad boys, deal with the equipment that you have. Rome is not burning.

    Here's an idea, if you want another piece of apparatus, why not gather all of the men that for the past 6 years have defrauded the taxpayer, manipulated the contract language, and engaged in knowing and willful questionable accounting practices, and re-pay all of the ill gotten gains from the unused sick pay bonus scheme. That alone from the last contract year will buy you a new engine. When we finally get the figures for 2012- 2015 numbers, you will most likely be able to purchase 2 new rescues.

    Shall I publish the names and the amounts that need to be repaid????

    Thursday, August 9, 2018 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    The captain is in dreamland again. Can’t wait for this audit to be over and shut you up. THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON

    Thursday, August 9, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Why did we buy a truck in 2015 that is allegedly falling apart in just three years???

    Thursday, August 9, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    The mayor wants to be proactive not reactive well it’s time to be reactive because fornthe last few years and check the minutes apparatus has been asked for and denied repeatedly.

    A truck every other year would suffice but rather than do that they deny dent dent. Let’s see how it all plays out with this audit.

    Af for Captain Ricky Bobby they will show up with a bucket and by Uber if needed that’s not the point. It has nothing to do with shopping you moron but of course you bring that up again this is why people question your credibility.

    Grow up just a little please you complain about fuel costs and saving there why don’t you start with the city council getting healthcare benefits for a part time job! Now that’s fluff if you ask me. Most city employees and I mean city employees not just the FD need to work 20-25-30+ years to have this benefit and the 9 council members get it after 6? Let’s start here at the top and make cuts. They ran for public office for the good of the community but wow do they get rewarded handsomely for it.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    Sorry about the misspelled words I was using my cell phone instead of laptop.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Scal1024

    DaydreamBeliever I agree the City Council recieving lifetime health care for few years of service is ridiculous. There are alot of benefits city wide that are too generous, and that is the heart of the problem. The WFD is one of the best in the region. Any interaction myself or my family has had with them has been a great experience. I believe both things can be true. I believe you guys do a great job, but I also believe the current system isn't sustainable. Whether it is changes in pensions, retirement age, overtime the entire system city wide (not just the wfd) cannot continue this way. I don't care if you guys do your shopping, I think its a good way to get out and shake hands with the public. I do care about saving money in ways that make sense. I think everyone whether they work for the city or not should be behind that idea. Not everyone who is looking at ways to save the city $ is anti union or only "out to get you guys". Just remember there are peoole who think you all do an amazing job, but those same people are concerned about raising a family here over the next 10-20-30 years.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    Scal

    I’ve lived in this city since childhood as my parents chose to make Warwick there home. My siblings and myself still reside here as well.

    We all went through the Warwick schools and some have graduated and some are still enrolled.

    Dollar for dollar I feel as our services are top notch. You choose to live in other areas your taxes will be lower however they pay for sanitation, have a fire tax, etc. so once you add in those costs it may be comaoarabke tonwhat we pay but then again maybe not.

    Is it sustainable as is? No I agree change has to happen but in slmall increments. Our era including you have to fix Everything prior administrations have failed to do.

    All public employees pay into a pension as the city takes weekly however the part where they contribute they didn’t hold up there end. They allocated that money to other areas so that’s one of the reasons the pension plans are lagging.

    Case in point city council allocated $5 million to streets but the mayor took $1.7 of it to close the school budget gap! They always rob Peter to pay Paul so the roads suffer.

    It was the same waybaxk then they didn’t put into the pension system and our era is seeing the results and wenhave to fix it all?

    I’m not saying to pass in on to my kids futures but we have to do in small increments.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Daydreamer,

    If you were actually paying attention you would know that the healthcare benefits that you speak of for council members ended 9 years ago. Steve Coluantono was the last person to get them. Unlike retirees that get free lifetime healthcare benefits, along with the spouse. The simple fact is that the residents can no longer afford the $300 million dollar benefit that has zero dollars in the fund. Simple math.

    And sorry, but my position is that when a city has to argue over saving 5 cents per can of spray paint for ball fields, (last month) that emergency vehicles should not be taken to local markets and left running while men get a ham sandwich. It is abusive and costly.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    Just like it’s abusive and costly to the chief of department spending 2-3 hours a day up to 10 hours a week gathering the APRA requests u constantly ask for.

    He has a job to do and it’s not to be at your beck and call. He has a responsibility to the department, mayor and the citizens not just Rob Cote.

    Besides wasting hours on your requests and sitting with you for over an hour to clear the aura you still want documents that other employees have to sit with you while you go through them.

    No other taxpayer gets this right. The mayor pays them to do a job not coddle to Rob Cote.

    That’s right Rob Cote has another appointment at City Hall today at 10am for a member of the FD tonsot and go over numbers for an hour. One would think there time could be better utilized doing there job not sitting with you.

    We have an audit going on right now that will provide some answers for you.

    Personally as a taxpayer I think it’s outrageous the previous mayor and this mayor allow his employees to waste man hours on you !

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    As for your stupidity as usual the trucks aren’t left running anymore at you damn well know but you just can’t help yourself to throw in a snide remark.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Scal1024,

    I agree with every single word of your comment/response to Daydreambeliever. We need a plan. I have presented mine. If you have better ideas I would like you to print them here. We both want a better Warwick. Let the reader know what you would do.

    Happy August Scal1024.

    Happy August everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    Captain, can you comment as to why last week at stop and shop you parked on the curb to run into to bank, when there were plenty of PARKING SPOTS right in front of you. “People who throw stones.....”. Oh and yes we have video.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    LOT of great points here but I strongly disagree that complying with oversight is not worth every penny! If we had MORE apra requests and involved citizens we might not be a billion in debt with crumbling roads, schools, and busted (3 year old!) fire trucks!

    "Just like it’s abusive and costly to the chief of department spending 2-3 hours a day up to 10 hours a week gathering the APRA requests u constantly ask for"

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    He a little busy right now as I type this sitting down with FD personnel going through documents. Apparently the mayor pays his employees to sit with this guy biweekly.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    Question, when the audit comes back and proves there is no scam, will he apologize? I’m assuming no.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    The FD is complying with all APRA requests and providing the auditor with all the information they are requesting.

    Not once has the Assisitant Chief not provided what’s been asked as he and the rest have nothing to hide.

    Whatever the outcome either good or bad it will be addressed by the mayor or criminally if need be.

    Not one FF will argue that.

    My contention as a taxpayer is he also has a job to do running a department. Yes he can devote some time to the requests but 2-3 hours daily ?

    It’s getting out of hand.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    OK, I hear you. but think of it this way, if all anyone who is *in control of the records* had to do to avoid scrutiny was to make it difficult for a watchdog, and complain about "the cost", then every govt department anywhere would have a get out of jail free card.

    This needs to be scrutinized to a *credible* outcome (as much as possible considering there were records actually deliberately destroyed after these questions were asked!)

    Also let us not forget that NO ONE challenged the job the FF department does in the field on calls. This is an administrative inquiry.

    If they dont like 2-3 hours then maybe they shouldnt have kept pencil records and destroyed records and non computerized millions in operations on hours and pay and shifts to begin with.

    IF they had done this properly all along, then they could spit out a report in five minutes and this would have been resolved.

    AND I have no dog in this fight other than as a resident. Waiting for an outcome and hoping it looks credible so we can either fix and move on, or just move on, depending on what is found. (Although if nothing else, get these records properly tracked in a proper system).

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    I agree with Ww voter with regards to bookkeeping. But I ask this question, regularly the finance committee shoots down simple cheap POs for basic stuff that is much cheaper than a computer program. Start with them the city needs to find a program. I want this audit over as I already know how it will turn out. I hope when it’s over those than needed answers got them.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    I agree with both of you but you do realize that the FD as well as the PD, municipal are all branches of the City of Warwick.

    They provide the software which they don’t do. So yes pencil and paper are used because the council won’t spend the money and never have to acquire of software program.

    Provide the damn software which this department has asked for and it will alleviate the pencils !!!!!

    Keep blaming them for using pencils and paper when it’s out of there control !!!!

    If the city doesn’t buy it they can’t fix it they work with what’s provided them !!!!!!!

    So yes The captain will get us the software we need and it will cost the city hubdereds of thousands to purchase and maintain so council wake up and spend the money to update

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    If I have been following this correctly for the last few years, most of the wear and tear takes place when the trucks are driving to the grocery store to get munchies.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    Your screen name says it all go smoke another fattie.

    We do have some simple minded people in this world I shake my head repeatedly.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    So lets now look at facts ,not the day dreams from the Monkey's era. (obviously a member of WFD)

    Under the law - APRA (a) Except as provided in § 38-2-2(4), all records maintained or kept on file by any public body, whether or not those records are required by any law or by any rule or regulation, shall be public records and every person or entity shall have the right to inspect and/or copy those records at such reasonable time as may be determined by the custodian thereof.

    Every person has the right to make requests to inspect or copy documents. For your information the inspection took 25 minutes. Furthermore, if the documents weren't "mysteriously missing" from the files, there would be no need to make additional requests.

    Secondly, the WFD is not complying with all requests from the auditor and is NOT supplying all of the requested documents which is why the audit is incomplete.

    Third - between 2015 - 2017 there were over payments to the tune of $247,850.60. That does not include the retirement payouts which, by the way, are also being calculated incorrectly and not in accordance with the contract. How does a man take 11 sick days and still get paid for taking zero? Riddle me that one daydreamer? How does a man get a retirement payout of 161.1 days?

    Would you like me to release the data on this blog? Ask and you shall receive.

    Also, the software is pennies. Biometric time clocks are the first step. They cost about $300. Quick books can do all the rest and that software is pennies. I love how the fire dept always exaggerates. Just like the fact that we have a truck down for weeks because it has a broken mirror. Continue to placate to the uniformed.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    By the way. Here are the names of the employees whose data was :mysteriously missing" on July 17th, only to re-appear today. However, there are still missing documents and all of the top brass. Why was it missing on the first request, and why is there still data missing?

    2015 missing record of sick leave on the following employees. 42% of the data is missing from the binders

    ANTONELLI, RAYMOND

    ARMSTRONG, EDWARD

    BELLAVANCE, RICHARD

    BROWN, KEITH

    BUBAR, ROBERT

    CABRAL, MICHAEL

    CAHOON, STEVEN

    CAPWELL, SCOTT

    CHACE, THOMAS

    CLARK, MICHAEL

    COLANTONIO, FRANCIS

    CONLEY, JAMES

    COOLEY, BRUCE

    DIMUCCIO, STEPHEN

    DOAR, PHILIP

    ERBAN, JASON

    FAY, STEPHEN

    GREENWELL, JOSEPH

    HALLORAN, JOHN

    HANDY, STEVEN

    HANNON, EDWARD

    JESSOP. THOMAS

    JORDAN, JAMES

    KAPALKA, STEVEN

    KENNEY, JAMES

    LECLAIR, CHRISTOPHER

    MAHONEY, DAVID

    MARIETTI, PETER

    MAXFILED, JAMES

    MAYMON, THOMAS

    MCLAUGHLIN, JAMES

    MCCAULEY, MATHEW

    MOAN, MICHAEL

    MONTECALVO, GREGORY

    MORETTI, MICHAEL

    MORSE, DAVID

    OWENS, BRYAN

    PACHEM, TIMOTHY

    PARMENTER, ROBERT

    PECCHIA, CARL

    RUSSEL, RANDY

    SHEA, MICHAEL

    SINOTTE, MICHAEL

    STEERE, MILES

    SUGRUE, THOMAS

    TRUDELL, FREDERICK

    TYLER, WILLIAM

    UMBENHAUER, JASSON

    VINER, STEVEN

    WILLIAMS, JOHN

    2016 missing record of sick leave on the following employees. 34% of the data is missing from the binders

    ANTONELLI, RAYMOND

    BELLAVANCE, RICHARD

    CAHOON, STEVEN

    CAMPAGNA, VINCENT

    CAPWELL, SCOTT

    CHACE, THOMAS

    CLARK, MICHAEL

    COLANTONIO, FRANCIS

    CONLEY, JAMES

    DOAR, PHILIP

    ERBAN, JASON

    FARIAS, MICHAEL

    FAY, STEPHEN

    HALLORAN, JOHN

    HANDY, STEVEN

    HANNON, EDWARD

    JESSOP. THOMAS

    JORDAN, JAMES

    KAPALKA, STEVEN

    KENNEY, JAMES

    LECLAIR, CHRISTOPHER

    MAHONEY, DAVID

    MARIETTI, PETER

    MAXFILED, JAMES

    MAYMON, THOMAS B

    MCLAUGHLIN, JAMES

    MOAN, MICHAEL

    MONTECALVO, GREGORY

    OWENS, BRYAN

    PACHEM, TIMOTHY

    PARMENTER, ROBERT

    RUSSEL, RANDY

    SHEA, MICHAEL

    SINOTTE, MICHAEL

    STEERE, MILES

    SUGRUE, THOMAS

    TRUDELL, FREDERICK

    TYLER, WILLIAM

    UMBENHAUER, JASSON

    VINER, STEVEN

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    Why don’t tou spend some time with your daughters instead is someone else’s and you know what I’m taking about. Your going to get caught Bobby and I look forward to your explanation.

    Glad u live so cleanly lmao .....

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    Apologies using a cell phone that self corrects but you can decipher I’m sure

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Thanks as always for the facts and data, Rob. And for sticking to the topic which is fire dept fire trucks and the related issues of finances.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Daydream you should actually apologize for once again making the FD look like low-blow thugs by dragging personal lives that have nothing to do with the story, into the debate, when simple financial questions were asked. Dirtbag tactics make you look desperate, guilty, and very low class in any case. Please stop. And don't write any letters to watchdogs employers either. Debate cleanly, and with the facts at hand. And if you want to look really classy, acknowledge the truth no matter how much you dislike the source. I've always respected FF's in general so please dont diminish that. This issue is just not worth that. Take a deep breath. This will work itself out and yes, changes may have to be made and some wrongs may or may not be proved.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    West Warwick I’m retired. I gave just shy of 30 years of my life to this city. It was a great job, I made great friends. I was treated well by the city and have no regrets. My contention is I did a good job and am proud of my work ethic and when certain individuals try and pull you down repeatedly it burns at me.

    I’m sorry but when someone attacks my profession and groups us as embezzlers, thieves, corrupt yes my blood boils.

    Many of us did a damn good job and I will not and I will Not allow someone tarnish all the good ive done as well as the men and women have done.

    I know the follow up will be I get a pension and free healthcare that doesn’t surprise me.

    What I don’t like is the attacks so if Rob can spew his BS so can’t I.

    Personal is when he attacks the career I chose and loved.

    Two can play this game he doesn’t stick to the facts he has to call people names, insult people!!!!

    Trust me if I wouldn’t be sued by him my closed fist would find his jaw.

    Friday, August 10, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Another anonymous tough guy threat. I have not attacked the profession. I am attacking the sloppy accounting and well known schemes and will continue to do so as long as I have documentation to back it up.

    Saturday, August 11, 2018 Report this

  • TheSkipper

    The real problem is this: When I was a volunteer firefighter back in the 70's a new engine was about 50-70 thousand dollars.

    Now they're 350 thousand and up to a million. This is not including ladder trucks, emergency hazmat, Sky-lift trucks, which are even MORE. it also doesn't cover the standard and specialized equipment carried on the trucks which are not part of the original price, which only covers Basic body, motor, frame, and tires. So you can see the fire engine manufacturing business far exceeds the normal rate of inflation to the point of GREED.

    What most people seem to forget is the fire department/police department is not a self supporting enterprise, and God help us if they were! For one thing the civil forfeiture program of those southern sheriff types is a disaster. The inherent corruption in that program is shocking! People going to Florida loosing their entire vacation funds having to turn around and go back because some Buford T. Justice stole all their money on suspicion of running drugs? But I digress.

    How would a fire department make money? Fill the boot....or Else? No, the only way is either a special fire tax program, or an increase in the general tax rate.

    Then the problem becomes the voter. The voter wants to pay the same tax he paid back in 1970 when he bought his house in Norwood for $20,000 dollars, and thinks anything more than $100.00 a year is corruption at work. Then there are would-be politicians who's battle cry is LOWER TAXES! and I'm in complete agreement, BUT with all the current and future commitments and responsibilities- HOW do we do it? You need a comprehensive logical path to Financial accountability.

    Finally, Weekly trips to the market are not unreasonable as a truck that stands idle is almost as bad as a truck that has been run to death. Studies have shown that a truck that is gently run periodically will have a longer life than a truck that is barely run at all. In addition a fire truck is a diesel motor that is run in the worst way possible. Unlike a tractor trailer which is started and run till it is warmed up to operating temperature. the diesel in a fire truck is started and at full load in seconds! This is absolutely horrible on the engine and transmission. A fire truck with 100,000 miles on it is more like a tractor trailer with 300,000 miles if driven by a responsible owner. A fire truck that apparently does less work? Needs more maintenance and service repair. Don't kid yourself. Just because the bunk rooms and offices in the station are heated? The garage bay in most stations is only heated if the temperature goes below freezing. You've got a diesel sitting in the cold that goes from "off" to full bast in 5 seconds? Worst possible scenario for a diesel powered truck giving it Maximum wear and tear. Even if it HAS an engine heater.

    Today we're expecting our departments to buy the most inexpensive fire trucks available. Well guess what? You GET what you pay for. If the town is buying the fire truck equivalent of a Yugo? That's what the city will get in quality and durability a few years down the line. At 20 years down the line? You might as well call the salvage yard because it'll be out of service as much as it's in.

    So the fire department is facing a 5 fold problem. Issues of lifespan with the equipment, Ridiculous rising costs of the replacement trucks, Politicians afraid to face the taxpayer with reality for fear of not being re-elected, and The taxpayer with a 40 year old mindset who thinks they should not have to replace fire equipment for 50 years and when they do it's going to be about the same money as the last one!

    Sure, there are other problems and perhaps abuses in the department but I doubt they're no worse than most other cities and municipalities in New England, but trying to blame everyone else is not the least bit helpful and is destructive overall.

    The truth is no one is at fault individually, but Everyone is at fault collectively.

    Monday, August 13, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    The Skipper,

    Permission to come aboard? For the record, I agree with everything that you said with the exception of one sentence. This one:

    Finally, Weekly trips to the market are not unreasonable as a truck that stands idle is almost as bad as a truck that has been run to death.

    The fact is that Warwick makes 2 trips per day per house. That's 18 trips per day. Last year incurring 30,000 miles on shopping trips. That amounts to lots of fuel and lots of wear and tear. Bear in mind that they were cited twice by DEM under the diesel idling act for leaving trucks running and unattended.

    So in a community that is struggling for every dollar, this behavior is simply unacceptable.

    Nice comment by the way.

    Monday, August 13, 2018 Report this

  • TheSkipper

    To The Captain:

    Welcome aboard Sir, I stand duly relieved!

    In all honesty I had no Idea the problem was so excessive.

    I don't disagree with a word you have written. Your comments are logical and well written. I have no connection with the fire department, the union or the city. Perhaps it would make more sense for the Fire department to hire a food wholesale company like the school department has, to supply the different fire houses with provisions then NO fire equipment would need to be dispatched to stand idle in a parking lot.

    I suppose there would be complaints of missing the food sales, but these would be unwarranted as the fuel savings and wear and tear on the equipment would equal or exceed the extra expense of a company like Sysco, American Foods, or another supplier taking over these duties? They can "Shop" these companies just like you shop a market for the best deals for the department.

    All is well. Standard watch, Rudder amidships, steady as she goes!

    Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    Skipper,

    The captains claims are grossly overblown. MOST crews shop before night shifts on their way in. So take away half of his estimated trips, and MOST crews shop for both days on their first day. Be careful what the captain says at best he is correct 10% of the time. His time is coming, his crap will be shown untrue. STAY TUNED

    Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Report this