Just two days after a fire killed nine people and left dozens more injured, Fall River, Massachusetts will increase the number of fire fighters assigned to the city’s fire companies, thanks to strong advocacy from the IAFF, General President Edward Kelly, and district and state leaders.
Until now, only two of the city’s 10 fire companies met the national safety standard of four fire fighters per company. Under the new plan, six companies will be brought up to that standard. The change is a direct result of the IAFF’s tireless push for safer staffing levels.
“Maintaining minimum staffing levels is critically important to public safety and fire fighter safety,” said Kelly. “I want to commend Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan for stepping up and moving us in the right direction and making sure we are bringing up the staffing levels significantly in the city.”
Maintaining minimum staffing levels is critically important to public safety and fire fighter safety. I want to commend Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan for stepping up and moving us in the right direction and making sure we are bringing up the staffing levels significantly in the city.
general president edward kelly
Kelly, along with 3rd District Vice President Jay Colbert and members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, stood united at a Wednesday afternoon press conference to demand immediate and permanent staffing solutions for Fall River’s fire department.
“This increase doesn’t get us to where we need to be, but we are committed to working with the mayor, the city of Fall River, the fire chief, federal and state partners to get this done, and we appreciate Governor Maura Healy coming down,” said Kelly. “We look forward to cooperating in the future to get all 10 fire companies up to the minimum national standard, and we think it’s a step in the right direction.”
Only 32 fire fighters were on duty during the fatal fire, eight short of the 40 recommended by national standards. With proper staffing, the tragic outcome might have been different.
We look forward to cooperating in the future to get all 10 fire companies up to the minimum national standard, and we think it’s a step in the right direction.
general president edward kelly
“The staffing issues in Fall River aren’t just a Fall River problem. They’re in places all over Massachusetts and beyond. The issue is we don’t want to have the conversation after the tragedy,” said Kelly. “City managers, people making budgetary decisions, have to prioritize staffing to protect their population. That’s a tough lesson coming out of this.”
Coogan told reporters it was important to find a middle ground to get this done. “We had to make sure we had funding necessary and in conversation with the governor and our congressman, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel that I believe will help us,” he said.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon confirmed that immediate changes are underway, including an increase in overtime to fill gaps.
“As of 5:30 p.m. tonight, we will be putting out overtime for three apparatus, and we hope we will have four fire fighters on six engine companies in Fall River,” said Bacon. “That will allow us to engage in faster fire suppression efforts, rescues, and allow our fire fighters to work safer, which in turn makes every citizen in the city safer.”
Bacon told reporters the city plans to hire between 15 and 20 fire fighters over the next two years.
“In the immediate term, we will fill those gaps with overtime. In the long term, we will be hiring fire fighters,” said Bacon.
Coogan called the staffing increase an important step forward.
“Right now, we think this is a very positive step in the right direction,” said Coogan.
