NK Crews Respond to Weekend Boat Fire

The 45-foot vessel caught fire during a lightning storm on Saturday night.

  On Saturday night during a lightning storm and torrential rain, North Kingstown Fire crews responded to a reported boat fire at Wickford Shipyard on Steamboat Avenue. Upon arrival, responders noted flames coming from a large boat that was docked in the water. According to Deputy Chief Robert Giglietti, because the fire occurred offshore, NK Fire did not have enough emergency personnel on duty to staff both the department's engines and boat, and was therefore assisted by apparatus from Warwick, East Greenwich, Portsmouth and the Castle Hill Coast Guard Station. While it was still on fire, crews pulled the boat from the water onto the shore where they worked to extinguish the blaze from the docks. Dept. Chief Giglietti described the …

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You Ask, Patch Answers: What's Going On With The Firefighters' Schedule?

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has continued the stay that extends the town's deadline to return firefighters to their former shift schedule.

  The deadline for the Town of North Kingstown to return its firefighters from mandated 24-hour shifts to their prior schedules has been extended once again. The Rhode Island Supreme Court has continued the stay, which was supposed to expire on March 21, until May 15. At that time, oral arguments will be heard. During that time, the court is urging both sides to continue negotiating. Town officials sought a stay from the Supreme Court after Superior Court Judge Brian Stern sided against the town in its implementation of a new ordinance that ordered firefighters to work 24-hour shifts for the town's firefighters, increased the work week from 42 to 56 hours, eliminated one platoon and decreased firefighters' hourly wages. According to Stern…

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Garage Fire In Quidnessett Destroys 4 Cars

The fire on Tockwotton Farm Road started Saturday morning while the owner was working on one of the cars.

A one-alarm fire in a garage on Tockwotton Farm Road in the Quidnessett neighborhood of North Kingstown destroyed four cars and the garage itself Saturday morning. No one was injured. The fire was reported at around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.  North Kingstown Deputy Fire Chief Philip Aldrich said it started while a resident was working on one of the cars in the garage. Although it's a two-car garage, there were four cars in the garage, two on automotive lifts.   "The fire was contained to the garage. Heavy damage to the garage and they were able to stop it at the extension before it went into the house," Aldrich said. He said the vehicles in the garage were a "total loss." The fire seems to have been caused by a mechanical problem with one of …

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NK Firefighters To Shave Heads For Cancer Research

Members of the North Kingstown Fire Department are shaving their heads tomorrow for the annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser.

Help NK Firefighters Raise Money for Child Cancer Research

The NK firefighters are shaving their heads for the annual St. Baldrick's event this month.

  For the fourth year in a row, members of the North Kingstown firefighters will be participating in the annual St. Baldrick's event. A group of firefighters will be shaving their heads to raise money for child cancer research on March 14 at Fat Belly's Pub in Providence. Donations will go to the St. Baldrick's foundation, which is a volunteer-driven charity fundraiser supporting infants, children, teenagers and young adults fighting childhood cancers.  The NK firefighters are aiming to raise $2,000 and are more than halfway there.  Click here to learn more about the event and how to donate.

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NKFD Saves Dog That Fell Through Ice at Ryan Park

The North Kingstown Fire Department saved a dog that fell through the ice at Ryan Park.

  North Kingstown firefighters saved a dog that fell through the ice at Ryan Park this morning. Private David Shogren (pictured above) was deployed on one of the North Kingstown Fire Department's ice rescue sleds to save the canine.

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Delay Granted on Stoppage of Firefighters' 24-Hour Shift

Town officials have until March 21 to negotiate before they may be forced to nix 24-hour shifts for firefighters.

  The Rhode Island Supreme Court has granted a delay that would have ended 24-hour shifts for North Kingstown's firefighters. The stay expires March 21 and stipulates that town officials and the North Kingstown firefighters' union, Local 1651, must continue to negotiate to reach a contract agreement.  The Supreme Court decision also mandates that both sides must report the status of negotiations within 15 days. Town officials sought a stay from the Supreme Court after Superior Court Judge Brian Stern sided against the town in its implementation of a new ordinance that ordered firefighters to work 24-hour shifts for the town's firefighters, increased the work week from 42 to 56 hours, eliminated one platoon and decreased firefighters' …

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Obituary: Robert L. Taylor, 55

Robert Taylor of the North Kingstown Fire Department passed away last week at the age of 55.

The following obituary was provided by Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home. Capt. Robert L. Taylor of the North Kingstown Fire Department passed away unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 8. He was 55 years old. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Nancy A. (Chadwick) Taylor for 35 years. Born in North Providence, he was a son of the late Ernest W., Jr. and Laura M. (Capracotta) Taylor. He served in the Rhode Island National Guard for eight ears. Tyalor was the fire mechanic for the North Kingstown Fire Department for 27 years; and was a member of IAFF Local 1651. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, camping, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation the RI Bow Hunters Club and was a …

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NK Fire's Head Mechanic Passes Away

The North Kingstown Fire Department has announced the passing of one of its mechanics.

  The North Kingstown Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own following the unexpected death of Robert Taylor. The NKFD learned of Taylor's passing around midnight during the height of this week's blizzard. Taylor, more often known as "Bobby," was the department's head mechanic. "If fire engines and rescues are considered the workhorse of the department, then there is no doubt Bobby Taylor was the stall keeper of the barn," said the NKFD in a statement. "Bobby worked tirelessly behind the scenes for decades keeping the fleet of fire engines, rescues and other apparatus operational. Whether he was limping a broken truck back to the maintenance shop, fabricating a non-existent part from scratch, or on the scene of a prolonged …

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Supreme Court Judge Issues Temporary Stay For Fire Union Ruling

Town officials have been given a stay regarding a ruling that orders them to return firefighters to their former work schedules.

  A Supreme Court judge has granted a temporary stay to North Kingstown town officials regarding a ruling that requires them to return firefighters to their former work schedules, according to Town Manager Michael Embury. Supreme Court Judge Gilbert Indeglia has issued a stay of implementation, but only for a few days until the entire Rhode Island Supreme Court can meet and vote on the matter. In the interim, Judge Indeglia has urged town officials and the fire union (Local 1651) to work to resolve the issue. According to Town Manager Michael Embury, the town is seeking to appeal a Superior Court judge's decision on the matter. If both sides don't reach an agreement by end of day Wednesday, the entire Supreme Court will consider the issue …

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