CRANSTON, R.I. - Cranston firefighters will accept a two-year pay freeze under a tentative agreement with the city.

The agreement, which is to be introduced to the City Council next Monday, also calls for civilians to handle dispatch calls and for the department to maintain its 17 current vacancies.

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said Tuesday the deal will save the city more than $4 million over three years. The mayor says the city faces a "dire plight" due to cuts in state aid, and that structural changes are needed.

The civilians hired to the dispatch unit will be offered less pay than uniformed firefighters.

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