Providence Fire Department

The Providence Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Providence, Rhode Island.

Providence Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Rhode Island
CityProvidence
Agency overview[1][2]
EstablishedMarch 1, 1854 (1854-03-01)
Annual calls51,351 (2014)
Annual budget$67,775,182 (2014)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefDerek Silva
IAFF799
Motto“In Omnia Paratus,” meaning “In All Things Ready”[3]
Facilities and equipment[4]
Divisions1
Battalions3
Stations12
Engines12
Trucks7
Platforms2
Squads1(Special Hazards)
Rescues7 (ambulances)
Tenders1
HAZMAT1
Fireboats1
Rescue boats1
Light and air1
Website
Official website
IAFF website

History

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Providence's first fire department was organized in 1759.[5] The state General Assembly raised money to purchase the town's first large water engine, and required every citizen to acquire a pair of two-gallon leather buckets to form volunteer bucket brigades.[3]

On March 1, 1854, a paid fire department was established, making it the second oldest professional fire department in the country.[3]

A years-long contract dispute between the city and the firefighter's union began in 2001.[6] Mayor David Cicilline promised to resolve the dispute within 30 days of his election in 2002, but was unable to reach an agreement.[6] In 2009, the dispute became national news as Vice President Joe Biden refused to attend the national mayor’s conference, held that year in Providence, so as not to cross the picket line.[7]

As part of a 2017 agreement reached by mayor Jorge Elorza, the Humboldt Avenue and Rochambeau Avenue firehouses were decommissioned to save costs.[8][9]

Operations

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Fire Station Locations and Apparatus

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The PFD operates out of twelve fire stations, organized into three battalions[10]

Engine Company Ladder Company Rescue Ambulance Units Special Unit Chief Unit Address Neighborhood Battalion
Engine 2 Ladder 7 Rescue Ambulance Unit 3 Battalion Chief 3 10 Branch Ave. Mt. Hope 3
Engine 3 Tower Ladder 1 Rescue Ambulance Unit 4 Special Hazards 1(Heavy Rescue & Haz-Mat) Division Chief 1(Deputy Chief), Safety Battalion Chief 325 Washington St. Federal Hill 1
Engine 6 Rescue Ambulance Unit 2 489 Hartford Ave. Hartford 2
Engine 7 Rescue Ambulance Unit 5 Air Cascade Unit 1 151 N. Main St. College Hill 3
Engine 8 Tower Ladder 2 Battalion Chief 2 201 Messer St. West End 2
Engine 9 Ladder 8 Fireboat 1 223 Brook St. Fox Point 3
Engine 10 Ladder 5 Rescue Ambulance Unit 1 847 Broad St. Lower South Providence 1
Engine 11 274 Reservoir Ave. Reservoir 1
Engine 12 Ladder 3 Rescue Ambulance Unit 7 426 Admiral St. Elmhurst 3
Engine 13 Foam Unit Battalion Chief 1 776 Allens Ave. Washington Park 1
Engine 14 Ladder 6 Rescue Ambulance Unit 6 639 Atwells Ave. Valley 2
Engine 15 Car 56, Car 72 (Fire Investigations) 136 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Mt. Pleasant 2

Former stations

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References

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  1. ^ "2014 Annual Budget". Providence Rhode Island. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  2. ^ "2014 Annual Report". Providence Fire Department. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "About Us". City of Providence Fire Department. City of Providence. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Stations". Providence Fire Department. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Providence Fire Department Records". Rhode Island Historical Society. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b Molinaro, Sara (31 October 2006). "Firefighters and city make slow progress in contract talks". Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Providence mayor, union duel over national meeting". Deseret News. Associated Press. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  8. ^ Bramson, Kate (7 January 2017). "Providence firehouses closing as part of downsizing". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  9. ^ Reynolds, Mark (5 January 2017). "Providence, firefighters' union approve 5-year contract, ending long standoff". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Find a fire station".
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41°49′25″N 71°25′20″W / 41.82361°N 71.42222°W / 41.82361; -71.42222