Some Terminated Pawtucket, RI, Firefighters Back on Duty, One Gets Promoted

Pawtucket Firefighter Clinton Lyles is being promoted to lieutenant today.

IAFF Local 1261 President Erik Cordeiro told WJAR Lyles is “an absolute asset to the city of Pawtucket and the residents.”

Lyles is among firefighters fired last year who are or will be back in their stations.

The city said took actions against 10 firefighters, including two high-ranking officers, following a probe involving allegations involving the use, purchase, or sale of marijuana, both on and off duty.

The union fought the city's actions against the firefighters.

“The union nor myself condone any drug use while on duty at all," Cordeio told reporters.

And, an arbitrator reduced Lyle's punishment to a 60-day suspension, which means the city has to pay him for the 10 months he was sidelined.

Firefighter Terrence O'Neill, who resigned, was charged in December with delivering marijuana to three men, the station said it learned were members of the department.

“So, if 10 firefighters were involved, that's almost 10% of the fire department. So, I would say that that's pretty much a ring within the fire department of that purchase of illegal narcotics,” Pawtucket Police Chief and Acting Public Safety Director Tina Goncalves said Tuesday.

Following negotiations, the city reported Firefighters Steven Gomes and Thomas Trabulsi are already back on their shifts while Firefighter Noah Leblanc will return in the fall.

They will undergo drug testing and be on probation for a period.

Firefighters Jonathan Sundquist and Lareto Guglietta are awaiting on a decision on whether they will get their back.

Goncalves, the police chief, said of the arbitration ruling: "We were disappointed. We don't necessarily agree with it.”