North Kingstown, Barrington receive $2M to hire more firefighters

July 29, 2017 11:20 am

By: News Staff

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NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Delegation announced over $2 million in funding for hiring and training new firefighters at the North Kingstown and Barrington Fire Departments.

The North Kingstown Fire Department will use a roughly $1.5 million federal ‘SAFER’ grant to hire nine full-time firefighters to staff a ladder truck.

The Barrington Fire Department will use roughly $530,000 over the next three years for salaries and benefits for four additional firefighters.

"With the continued growth of North Kingstown, particularly in the Quonset Point Industrial Park and Reynolds Farm areas, this award will significantly increase the Fire Department’s ability to protect the entire town,” said North Kingstown Fire Chief Scott Kettelle.

"This additional manpower will allow for enhanced emergency fire and medical support for our citizens and increase the safety of our firefighters,” said Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha.

With these grants, Rhode Island has received over $4.5 million in federal funding for fire safety in 11 departments in 2017.