McLaughlin Has Record Of Modernizing Department, Handling Labor Unrest

Mayor Joseph M. Polisena has now appointed two men to the post of — and both times, he has chosen retired firefighters from larger communities.

Former Johnston Fire Chief Andrew J. Baynes, who had previously retired as battalion chief from Warwick, resigned from the post in January. Polisena named himself acting chief in the interim, and appointed Police Deputy Chief David DeCesare to an administrative role in the fire deparment to organize the transition.

On March 16 at the senior center, Polisena announced that retired Pawtucket Fire Chief Timothy McLaughlin will take the helm of the local fire department.

Asked why he thinks retired firefighters have accepted posts in Johnston, the mayor said: "They see we have a great town here — it's an appointment for people to face a challenge, to come forth and lead a department (and be) compatible with the people paying the bills."

Like Baynes, McLaughlin is credited with leading his fire department through the acquisition of new equipment and facilities — and, like Baynes, has dealt with labor unrest.

In June, 2009, the members of the Pawtucket Firefighters Union, Local 4421, took a no-confidence vote in McLaughlin. At the time, WPRI.com reported that the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs promptly issued their own vote of unanimous support for McLaughlin, who had previously served for five years as the president of the union.

(In the accompanying video, McLaughlin addresses the no-confidence vote and his view of working with the Johnston Firefighters Union.)

McLaughlin takes command of a Johnston Fire Department whose union has been at odds with Polisena; last year, Polisena campaigned for the Democratic primary endorsement against retired Fire Chief Victor Cipriano, who had union support.

During the announcement ceremony, Polisena acknowledged the past conflicts while offering conciliatory words.

"We've had our differences, but I think they've done a great job, and I trust them with my life and with the lives of all the people on Johnston," Polisena said. "They're a dedicated group of men and women."

Polisena also explained that McLaughlin faces several challenges as soon as he starts the job within the next couple of weeks.

"He's got his hands full because he's going to submit the next budget for the fire department," Polisena said, adding that he expects McLaughlin to offer direct advice on the department's overtime budget, which this year is $2.4 million.

"We're going to look at all the numbers, and this chief has looked at all the numbers before in his position in Pawtucket," the mayor explained, "and we'll ask, is it cheaper to pay overtime, or should we hire new firefighters?"

McLaughlin is expected to formally start on the job during the first week of April, though Polisena said the new chief will be on call in the meantime.

"I get to demote myself from the position of chief," Polisena joked.