WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) -- Union officials are questioning a proposal by Woonsocket city leaders that would bar firefighters from having second jobs.

City leaders are concerned that recent layoffs in the fire department will put additional strain on firefighters who could face forced overtime.

City attorney Chris Lambert tells The Call of Woonsocket that moonlighting firefighters risk additional on-the-job fatigue and stress. The new rule, if approved, would take effect in April.

Firefighters union President Lt. Steve Reilly questioned whether the city has the legal authority to prohibit firefighters from moonlighting, or how the restrictions could be realistically enforced.

The city may also eliminate the policy of sending engines on rescue runs.

___

Information from: The Call, http://www.woonsocketcall.com

Read the Full Story on the Call Site: Woonsocket bans firefighter moonlighting
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Got news for you the military is not even this strict. I have know quite a few soldiers who had second jobs. This has been a few years ago not abosolutly sure of the policy now. I feel for you guys what is the next right the govenment tries to take from its citizens.
It won't hold up, the union can sue the city and keep it tied up in the courts for a loooooong time. Good luck to those involved though!
Hey I have an idea. Why not increase a Firefighters salary so they don't need to work another job. This will reduce unemployment, it will open up those moonlighting job opportunities the firefighters won't have work anymore.
GREAT CITY LEADERS. LAY OFF HALF THE DEPARTMENT, CUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE, FORCE THE REMAINING FIREFIGHTERS TO WORK ADDITIONAL OVERTIME TO COVER WHAT THEY HAVE LAID OFF, PUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK AND THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO NEED TO WORK SECOND JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. WHO ARE THEY KIDDING!!!
I THINK YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK AND BE A FIREFIGHTER WE VOLERTIRE ARE TIME

DONT TAKE ARE FREEDOW FROM US THAN YOU
I'm sure that if the city is going to bar you from a second or third income that they will GLADLY pay the FF's the amount that they would be forcing those guys to lose.

Right? I mean, thats only fair?

Wow.

FTM!
What right does the city have to tell you what you can and can not do on your off time. Next they will try to tell you what sports you can do or cant do. If they are that concerned with the stress maybe they should not have done the layoff.
Thats the most ridiculous thing I've heard. First they cut positions and then they expect the guys to kill themselves to work overtime..that's if it's needed. Thehy worry about them getting burned out moonlighting, but what about them getting burned out from working OT in the dept? In my opinion its a good thing to moonlight.. Hell we all need some extra money and sometimes a break from the job, even though most of us love it. Having a second career or job to fall back on is vital as we never know if our jobs will be cut next due to budget changes.
WE LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WE HAVE 380 POEPLE IN IT AND IF WE DIDNT HAVE A JOB WE COULDN'T MAKE IT POEPLE LIKE TO CHANCE THINK SOME TIME IT GO AND SOME TIME IT'S NOT
The city fathers must have idiots serving as legal counsel. If the firefighters had signed an exclusive agreement when they were hired, which prohibited them from working outside the firehouse, it might hold water. But grandfathering such a ruling has proven to be illegal in many other cities in the past, especially during the 70's. If Woonsocket is concerned about firefighter safety, re-hire the men and women they dropped. Lou
I've heard of city governments being run by a bunch of idiots, but this one takes the cake! I would imagine the propect of this action has made most of the departments members extremely fatigued, stressed out and close to puking. They may have to call in sick, or move on to another fire department. As for not sending engines on rescue runs; that is unaceptable!!! We've had that same "engine" talk from a city offical here, also. That didn't happen. Big time liabilty issue with that kind of action! Let the city leaders of Woonsocket handle the "actual work." They appear to....know it all!
Hmmmm.
Starting to see more and more of this.
So much for democracy and the freedom to live your lives unfettered.
Two hatters unite!
TCSS.
Art

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