Four Pawtucket, RI, Firefighters Fired, Four Resign Amid Criminal Probe

    April 16, 2025
    "This is a safety sensitive position. There's no room for error..." said Pawtucket City Attorney Vincent Ragosta.

    The Pawtucket FIre Department is down eight firefighters amid a probe into criminal wrongdoing.

    Four were fired and four retired while the state attorney general's office investigates allegations.

    “I have seen cases that are very atrocious in terms of behavior … But I haven’t seen anything to this degree or this extent. And, if I might say, as bold as this in terms of the rather cavalier approach to their criminal conduct, It’s very disturbing in the sense that it brings into question their fitness to go out and respond when that bell rings," Vincent Ragosta, the city’s attorney, told WPRI.

    He added: “This is a safety sensitive position. There’s no room for error in terms of what these firefighters do.”

    Pawtucket City Spokesperson Chris Hunter said: “While these matters are serious and remain under investigation, it is important to emphasize that the actions of these firefighters do not reflect the dedication, integrity or professionalism of the Pawtucket Fire Department as a whole.”

     

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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