During the recent Newport City Council meeting held on May 18, 2025, a significant discussion centered around the staffing and scheduling of the city's fire and police departments. Council members expressed concerns regarding the current budget constraints that have led to reduced work hours for firefighters and police officers, impacting their scheduled shifts.

One council member highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate staffing levels, particularly emphasizing that firefighters are currently forced to take days off, which disrupts their expected work schedule. The member noted that firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts followed by 48 hours off, and any deviation from this arrangement could affect their performance and the safety of the community.

The discussion also touched on the financial implications of overtime pay for firefighters, with the council member explaining that the current system results in significant overtime costs. Under the existing budget, firefighters are not receiving the hours they were originally hired to work, which has raised concerns about their morale and the overall effectiveness of the department.

The council member expressed a desire to revisit the budget in the future to restore full staffing levels and ensure that firefighters and police officers can work the hours they were promised upon hiring. This commitment to revisiting staffing levels reflects a broader goal of enhancing public safety and ensuring that emergency services are adequately staffed to respond to community needs.

As the meeting concluded, the council acknowledged the importance of these discussions and the need for ongoing evaluation of the budget to support the city's first responders effectively. The council's commitment to addressing these staffing issues will be crucial in maintaining the safety and well-being of Newport's residents.