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September 27, 2007

Update: All 11 fire departments bow out of drill

PROVIDENCE -- All 11 Rhode Island fire departments slated to participate in a terrorism drill at Rhode Island Convention Center have dropped out, prompted by the Providence firefighters' union plan to picket as part of a protracted contract battle between the Providence firefighters and the city.

Yesterday, East Providence, Cranston and Pawtucket bowed out because of the union picket. This morning, Newport firefighters followed suit. As of this afternoon, all of the other departments dropped out, too, including Coventry, Johnston, North Providence, West Warwick, Warwick, and Central Falls. The 11th department is Providence itself.

Drill organizers, however, say they will conduct the exercise no matter what.

Meanwhile, RIPTA officials are also telling the Providence Emergency Management Agency that their union is concerned about getting involved.

The RIPTA bus drivers were going to transport victims, said Leo Messier, of the Providence EMA. Without them, the drill won’t be able to use its new statewide communications system.

Providence alone was planning to have 80 firefighters involved in the drill, including 40 who are on duty Sunday. There were no volunteers to work overtime.

This morning, the department ordered eight Providence firefighters trained in hazardous materials to come in and work the drill, said Assistant Fire Chief Michael J. Dillon. They are being paid overtime.

Providence Fire Chief George S. Farrell said this morning that he’s hopeful that the controversy can be smoothed over in time for Sunday.

Also today, Governor Carcieri, a Republican, and the head of the convention center authority criticized the union's plan to picket.

The state Republican Party chairman this afternoon said state Democratic leaders need to speak out against the union's planned picket.

Your turn: Are the firefighters justified in picketing a major statewide drill?

-- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits, with reports from Journal staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 5:08 PM | Permalink

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