East Greenwich Fire Department Assisted By North Kingstown

EAST GREENWICH, RI—At an emergency meeting to discuss the rise in coronavirus cases among East Greenwich firefighters on Wednesday night, Fire Chief Bernie Patenaude announced that four North Kingstown firefighters with a North Kingstown engine and rescue would temporarily staff Station 2.

The decision comes after 23 East Greenwich firefighters tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, experiencing a range of mild and moderate symptoms and being forced to quarantine for two weeks, leaving only eight who are eligible to work.

"East Greenwich is a small town and many in our community know our firefighters on a first-name basis," said Councilor Mark Schwager at the emergency meeting. "I want our firefighters to know that they have the support and the good wishes of our community and we wish them a speedy recovery."

The Frenchtown Road firehouse in East Greenwich was temporarily closed Tuesday night in response to the surge in cases. It is now being operated according to the arrangement with North Kingstown Fire Department, which comes with a mutual benefit as the North Kingstown Fire Station on School Street flooded several weeks ago. This plan allows firefighters to cover both East Greenwich and the closest areas of North Kingstown.

“The actual apparatus that is manned has not changed for the town," Patenaude said at the meeting.

"It's a good process for both of us," he continued.

For now, the crisis will not cost the town additional overtime because the North Kingstown firefighters are still working their usual shifts, but Patenaude said the situation could change if any more East Greenwich firefighters test positive for COVID-19 or if North Kingstown firefighters begin to test positive.

The firefighters who tested positive but were asymptotic will being re-testing on Wednesday. If they receive negative results, they will be allowed to return to work.