New class of firefighters made possible by federal grant

PAWTUCKET – Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative David Cicilline joined with Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien to welcome a new class of Pawtucket fire recruits at Fire Station 4 on Cottage Street.

 Funding for this class of recruits was made possible through a $2,448,938 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The federal funds will be used to help Pawtucket fund the hiring of 13 of the 16 firefighters in this recruitment class.

 “I once again want to thank Senators Reed and Whitehouse along with Congressman Cicilline and Langevin for supporting the City through these critical grant funds,” said Mayor Grebien. “We have an excellent class of firefighters that will assist us in improving our public safety efforts and protect the health of our residents.” 

 “I commend Mayor Grebien for his leadership and commitment to ensuring the Pawtucket Fire Department is well-staffed and well-trained.  I was pleased to work with the Mayor, Chief Sisson, and my colleagues in the delegation to deliver federal funds to boost staffing levels and enhance public safety,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, who helped make $345 million available for Fire Grants and SAFER hiring grants in the latest Omnibus Appropriations law.

 “The most important assets in any fire department are the hardworking men and women who put their lives on the line to protect their communities,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “I congratulate Mayor Grebien and Chief Sisson on winning a competitive federal grant that has allowed the City to add more than a dozen firefighters to the ranks of the Pawtucket Fire Department.”

 "I’m delighted to mark the start of this fire academy and to unveil this new fire truck," said Congressman Cicilline. "This is exactly how government should work, and I’m proud that federal resources are playing a critical role in keeping the people of Pawtucket safe. I’m going to continue working alongside my colleagues in the Delegation to support expanded funding for FEMA’s SAFER grant program, and to continue fighting to bring these resources back here to Rhode Island."

Candidates completed the fire exam in December, as well as oral interviews with the Chief Sisson in January. They were then selected to be part of the next recruitment class and recently began the fire academy, a 16-week program.

 In addition, the City’s new fire truck was on hand at its new home, Fire Station 4 (Cottage Street). Approximately twenty-five percent of the engine cost ($132,444) was funded through the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Clean Diesel grant and federal Environmental Protection funds. The new engine will replace a 1992 Beck Pumper Engine. 

Senator Whitehouse, Mayor Grebien, Senator Reed, Congressman Cicilline, State Representative Mary Duffy Messier and Fire Chief William Sisson with the fire recruits

Mayor Grebien thanks the federal delegation for their support in securing a $2.4 million SAFER Grant. The grant is supporting the City’s latest recruitment class.

Senator Reed

Senator Whitehouse

Congressman Cicilline