Fire captain injured on duty to be promoted after attorney files grievance
By Alana Cerrone
@Alana_Cerrone
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Providence Fire Captain Joseph Fontaine is about to be sworn in as Battalion Chief. But in his eyes, the promotion is bittersweet. He thinks he should’ve been promoted with fellow captains last year.
"I would’ve loved to have it been when the other nine guys made it."
The 30-plus year veteran almost died in March 2016 from cyanide poisoning after fighting a massive fire on Eaton St. He was out of work but took the test to become battalion chief. "In the contract there’s nothing that says I couldn’t take the test,” he said.
He placed within the top 9. But his name was pulled from the list. His attorney filed a grievance last year. Before the hearing, he says, the city settled and promoted him to battalion chief.
"The pinnacle is to make that chief spot. And they said I could."
Fontaine is retired. He can’t return to work because of complications from fighting fires for over 30 years that came to a head at that Eaton Street fire.
Commissioner Steven pare has said it’s not personal and that Fontaine wasn’t promoted because he’s permanently disabled.
Fontaine and others will be sworn-in at a ceremony Thursday.
©WLNE-TV 2018
