Public Employees Help Community Rescue Wildlife

Narragansett and South Kingston, Rhode Island

When a tugboat pulling an oil-filled barge caught fire in the waters off South Kingston, public employees were there to contain and mitigate the damage. Though the fire was finally put out by waves washing over the tug, the barge went aground and began spilling oil into the water. Members of AFSCME Locals 2881, 1179, and 1612 (Council 94) came out in force: saving wildlife, monitoring the damage, responding to the public.

Conservation officers like Mike Longton, Lt. Pete Bissell, and Lt. Kurt Blanchard secured the beach and the building where the oiled birds were being treated. They prevented fishing in contaminated areas, took biologists and other specialists out to the damaged areas, searched for birds, and answered questions from the public.

Oiled birds were examined by State Veterinarian Dr. Susan Littlefield, and were later sheltered and cleaned in the Narragansett town garage—now a rescue center coordinated by Principal Wildlife Biologist Lori Suprock. The garage itself was transformed into a rescue center by workers from the Narragansett Highway Dept. and Fleet Maintenance. Highway Foreman Al Petrone, Foreman Mechanic Frank Recchia, and their crews installed the necessary equipment and rearranged their shifts so that the garage could remain open 24 hours a day. Water Dept. Foreman Sammy Williams piped in the water needed to clean the birds, and Highway and Facilities Operations Clerk Julie MacMullen served as secretary, receptionist, and public contact for the rescuers.

Volunteers calling to offer time and materials were referred to the appropriate place by police dispatchers, including Local 1612 Pres. Arthur Smith.

Biologists like Charles Allin and Brian Tefft from the Division of Fish and Wildlife counted and identified species, tagged dead wildlife, and brought in live oiled birds. Shoreline assessment teams walked the coast, recording the effects of the spill, including the spread of the oil, and the impact on wildlife. AFSCME members were up in airplanes, monitoring the spill from above. Still others were in boats, making sure the booms containing the oil spill were secure.

AFSCME members continue to work with other agencies to help determine the extent of the damage, and the requirements and time frame for repair.