Hundreds Rally in Support of Firefighters at Providence City Hall
Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor
Hundreds Rally in Support of Firefighters at Providence City Hall
In May, Elorza announced that as part of addressing the city's structural deficit, he was reorganizing the Providence Fire Department from four platoons to three, which he said could save as much as $5 million annually -- and firefighters have been opposing since. "I hope the auditor has done some models. It's our estimation that the best case scenario is $2 million in savings and worst case, a $12 million loss," said Local 799 President Paul Doughty on Friday.
GoLocal spoke with Captain Kevin Jutras at the rally about the impact of the change since it took effect.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The Mayor needs to see that this decision will have implications other than financial. When we went from four platoons to three, we lost two days off -- we're talking a department that does 41,000 runs a year. You have fire companies in the city that are doing between 4500 and 5000 runs annually," said Jutras. "This is not a community like North Kingstown. I'm not disparaging North Kingstown but we have a much busier work schedule. We need days to to recoup from the stress of the job. Since imposing this schedule, I'm doing 48 hours straight. I'm not looking for overtime -- I'll work it if I have to, but I want to see my kids, I want to go home."
"Tonight was just to get more info on a larger scale, regarding legalities and finances," said Aponte.
"Next steps, Judge Lanphear announced Tuesday said he will make decision in weeks not months -- we'll reconvene at that point," said Aponte. "We're looking in the interim as whether it makes sense to add another academy, which is already in this year's budget."
Butane Hash Fires in the U.S.
November 2011
Medford, Oregon
The heater in the house turned on causing the butane to explode. Seven people, including two kids, escaped from the explosion.
November 2013
Bellevue, Washington
The fire was started by three men who were using butane to extract hash oil from marijuana. The fire cost $1,500,000 in damages and former Mayor Nan Campbell died in the fire.
The three men were charged in July of 2014
Photo courtesy of ssalomans/ flickr
May 2014
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Hash oil was linked to dozens of explosions but no one was hurt. A couple was taken into custody on suspicion of first degree arson but were later released on bond.
May 2014
Puyallup, Washington
An illegal hash oil operation went up in flames featuring more than 300 cans of butane. Nobody was injured in the explosion but two people were detained.
October 2014
Missoula, Montana
An explosion took place at a University of Montana apartment due to a man attempting to extract hash oil from marijuana. The man, Patrick Wayne Austin, was held on $50,000 bail.
Photo courtesy of brandonwu/flickr
October 2014
Walnut Creek, California
The top floor of a four unit apartment building was completely blown off and two people were critically injured and another was unaccounted for. The fire consisted of one large explosion and then dozens of other smaller explosions following it.
October 2014
Jackson, Michigan
A 20 year old boy attempted to extract hash oil from marijuana by "open blasting" in his upstairs bedroom in his parents house when it caught fire. The 20 year old had a medical marijuana card.
October 2014
Visalia, California
After extinguishing the fire, the firefighters determined the residents had been cooking hash oil from marijuana when vapors ignited and caused an explosion.
The home had $80,000 in damages and another $20,000 damages to the contents of the home.
November 2014
San Bernardino County, California
A man was killed and two others were injured after a home exploded and significant amounts of marijuana and butane were found in the debris.
Photo courtesy of paulbanday/ flickr
