Moore: Mello Takes Over a Fire Department In Turmoil

Moore: Mello Takes Over a Fire Department In Turmoil

Acting Providence Fire Department Chief Scott Mello has one heck of a job on his hands.

Mello, who takes over for retiring Chief Clarence Cunha (who recently reached the maximum retirement age for the department), will be expected to lead the fire department while it’s going through tumultuous times as there is no labor peace right now. The reason the union is at loggerheads with the administration is due to a new proposal that would change the platoon structure from four to three, which the administration expects will save taxpayers up to $5 million on a yearly basis. 

The rationale behind the reform is that with fewer platoons, the according to Mayor Jorge Elorza, is that the city wouldn't need to pay firefighters as much overtime, because the firefighters would be forced to work roughly 56 hours per week instead of the 42 hours they currently work. The decision was facilitated by a state Supreme Court Decision that allowed North Kingstown to take a similar action.

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The firefighters, however, don't see it that way. The union's argument is that firefighters should be paid time-and-a-half for every hour they work after already working 42 hours in a week. 

A Tough Spot

When the reform was announced, the administration announced that it planned on implementing it by July 1. In an attempt to come to an agreement that satisfies both sides, the mayor and the union have since entered into negotiations over the issue. Since the negotiations are ongoing, the city has neglected to implement the plan as of yet, but claims it will do so on August 1. 

The union has sued the city over the issue, and the two sides are due in court on August 3. 

In the wake of this announcement, there have been about 50 firefighters who have opted to retire from the department, which will only increase the costs of overtime for city taxpayers. Depending on how the platoon reform issue plays out, there could be even more retirements coming, fire department sources say.

These factors, outside of Mello’s control, mean that the leadership change in the department takes place during a rather inopportune time, and that Mello enters into a difficult position as a firefighter himself, yet now a member of the Elorza administration.

Plenty of Experience

Mello certainly has plenty of experience with the Providence Fire Department, and that experience suggests he should be able to handle the new job. He's worked there since 1984--that's more than 30 years. Mello has worked at several stations, became the department's director of training in 2011, and has served as the assistant chief since this February. In other words, he has an impressive resume that suggests he should be able to handle the day to day operations of the position. 

But given the bad blood between the union and the administration, great leadership, in this instance, will mean Mello will need to make sure rank-and-file firefighters stay focused and enthused about their jobs despite the unease between the union and the administration.

Fire department sources say that Mello is very close with Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare. The two men frequently work out together at Gold's Gym located in East Greenwich. Veteran Providence Fire Department firefighters are skeptical that Mello will be able to change the current dynamic of frosty relations between the administration and the Providence Firefighters Union.

Politicking His Way To The Top?

The perception that Mello is tight with the administration and, in a way, politicked his way to becoming the acting chief, will make it more difficult for Mello to relate to the men he'll need to lead. But at the same time, his more than 30 years of experience on the job certainly gives him credibility with the firefighters.

Let's hope the administration--the Mayor, Public Safety Commissioner, and new Acting Chief-- and the union, can all get on the same page sooner rather than later, to better serve the people of our capital city. It does nobody any good to have the two sides fighting in court and in the press. The people of Providence deserve a fire department that provides excellent customer service (as it already does on a daily basis) and is affordable.

It will be interesting to follow the developments in the fire department over the next few months. If Mello can effectively lead the department through these turbulent times, he will have almost assuredly proven that he should become the department's next chief. Here's hoping he can.

Russell Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713. Send him email at [email protected]