Fall River to raise staffing levels of fire shifts after assisted living fire

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan and IAFF General President Edward Kelly said that staffing levels of six of the fire companies in the city would be brought to the “minimal national standard” after the deadly fire at an assisted living facility on July 13.

Kelly said that the mayor, the firefighters union, and the fire department were “committed” to raising staffing levels in all 10 of the city’s fire companies eventually, but will do so on four additional engines for now.

The mayor also said that six city engine companies would have four members going forward, instead of two.

Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon had also addressed the media earlier on Wednesday, where he commended the efforts of the firefighters who responded to the fire.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has released the identities of eight of the victims.