Town officials may create five new positions in the Newport Fire/EMS Department, if the revenue is there to sustain them.
The council met for a special meeting Thursday in the town hall boardroom on Howard Boulevard and online via Zoom. At the meeting, Town Manager Bryan Chadwick and Assistant Town Manager Teresa Fulk gave a report on the town’s finances, including a proposal to create five new, full-time positions – three firefighters and two paramedic-level emergency medical technicians – in the fire/EMS department.
After discussion, the council agreed to meet again at another special meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the proposal further. The council requested revenue projections from staff to determine what funding may be available for these positions. Mr. Chadwick said additional full-time staff is needed in the department due to the coronavirus pandemic.