A plan to restructure the East Greenwich Fire Department took another step forward Monday night.
In a vote of 4-1, the East Greenwich Town Council voted in favor of restructuring the fire department. The proposed restructuring would eliminate six positions and one of the four platoons, with each platoon having eight people and two floaters to fill in when needed. The plan also proposes that each firefighter would work a 56 hour work week, with 24 hour shifts.
Some community members said the move is a risk to public safety, while the East Greenwich Town Council President Sue Cienki said it is fiscally responsible. Cienki said the overtime costs associated with the fire department are approaching $800,000.
"Should we be talking with other towns about shared services? Absolutely. Should we be talking about consolidation? Absolutely. To run a fire department is expensive," Cienki said.