BURRILLVILLE – A member of the Pascoag Fire Department who has served for more than 30 years, holding the position of deputy chief for the past decade, resigned this week, effective immediately, in a letter to district officials.
Richard Peck submitted his resignation on Tuesday, July 22, citing concerns about safety, morale and the lack of leadership in a letter to Chief Michael Dexter, Fire Commission Chairman David Carpenter and Hose Company President Brian Champagne.
“I have proudly served this department since April 22, 1994, and making this decision has been incredibly difficult,” Peck wrote. “However, I can no longer, in good conscience, continue in my role when the core values of safety, respect, and accountability are being neglected.”
In a conversation Tuesday afternoon, Dexter denied much of what was stated in the letter saying it came as a shock.
Peck noted that in the past few months, the department has lost six members who each had more than ten years of experience.
“The departure of these members should be a sobering indicator of the cultural and operational decline this department is facing,” Peck wrote, stating that three of the recent resignations were in direct response to the district’s failure to address an incident of sexual harassment.
Peck declined to provide further details surrounding the incident.
Dexter, however, clarified that there was never a complaint regarding sexual harassment, but rather “inappropriate behavior.”
“It was investigated through the proper chain of command and handled appropriately,” Dexter said. “The people involved were reprimanded and advised of the policy for impropriate conduct.”
He also said that while six individuals did recently resign, some had long been off the fire department roster – including one who hadn’t taken a call in more than three years. Others, he said, had moved out of the area.
“Some people left for various other reasons,” said Dexter.
Peck also cited concerns with equipment, including SCBA units – or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus – that are more than 25 years old, despite nationally accepted standards that suggest replacement after around 15.
“Those responsible for the budget to replace this most important piece of our turnout gear state there is no issue with wearing these antiques into building fires or into hazmat scenes,” he wrote.
Peck said that the fire apparatus pumps and hoses have not been tested in nearly 18 months, although standards call for annual testing.
He also said that turnout gear past its service life also remains in use – particularly by per diem members – despite being known to contain potentially harmful PFAS – and that the firefighters’ insurance policy does not offer coverage for cancer.
“I cannot support this as there is no plan to correct it all, never mind in a timely fashion,” wrote Peck.
“As deputy chief, it is my job to keep the rank and file of this department safe from all the hazards you all face,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that leadership does not share that same commitment.”
But Dexter said that all PFD gear is in compliance
“We conduct our annual testing as required,” the chief said. “We would never put anyone in the department in jeopardy. At no time is anybody in non-compliant gear.”
“All of our equipment is up to date,” he added. “It’s all tested.”
Dexter said that budget constraints mean the district may not always have the newest and best of everything.
“Nobody has the ability to buy everything every year – but there’s nothing that’s not compliant,” he said.
Peck also states that the department has different standards for on call and paid personnel, pointing to requirements for training and other safety protocol.
“This double standard erodes morale and jeopardizes the quality of service we provide to the community,” he wrote.
The deputy chief was among ten plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the district in 2022 that alleged the practice of not compensating per diem firefighters for the same work performed as when they are serving as “volunteers,” was a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit was ultimately settled with a $279,000 payout from the district.
Dexter noted that the letter on Tuesday came just as the Board of Fire Commissioners was set the discuss the job performance of several department members, including Peck, who had been notified of the meeting.
“The stuff he put in is very shocking,” Dexter said of the notice. “Myself and the department hold ourselves to a higher standard. I’ve never received a letter of resignation like this at any job I’ve ever done.”
For the now former deputy chief, it seems, there’s no longer much to discuss.
“Though I still have more to teach each of you, I can no longer assure our members that conditions will improve,” wrote Peck. “After over 30 years of committed service, it is no longer possible for me to support this organization as it currently stands.”
Editor’s note: The above article has been edited to include comments from Chief Michael Dexter.
I said it before, I’ll say it again, Pascoag deserves better than what it has. This isn’t the chiefs fault, but I’m sure he’ll be the scape goat. In my opinion pascoag began going down hill when they employed people based on popularity, that weren’t held to the same standards as the rest of us. I’m glad to see Pecks out honestly. If I had to choose the current chief over the deputy chief there wouldn’t be much of a struggle there. I’m a former Fire Fighter and Advanced EMT Cardiac. I resigned, returned, and resigned again. These problems have been on going way before this Chief stepped in to clean up the mess and drama. I walked from Pascoag twice. It’s a bad joke and the town deserves better. Give Dexter time and I’m sure it’ll be a real department in time. I know one thing is for sure, I was on call for the longest time, you wouldn’t catch me suing anyone for my VOLUNTEER SERVICE and then complain about how the budget won’t allow more pointless spending. Adios. Don’t let the door hit you.
Pascoag Fire needs to get it together.
Richard has consistently brought safety issues to the attention of leadership—both the chief and the board—for years. One of the most persistent problems has been the poor condition of department gear. I know this firsthand; I had to purchase a red helmet for a member after the one issued to him fell apart. Concerns like this have continuously been ignored, brushed aside, or swept under the rug.
Richard has been a strong advocate for the safety of his fellow firefighters—recognizing issues, documenting them, and raising them time and time again, only to be met with silence. Safety should always be the top priority. It’s unacceptable that his concerns have gone unanswered.
And it’s not just safety. The issue of sexual harassment within the department is longstanding and deeply troubling. Certain individuals seem to be “protected” regardless of their actions. One member was awarded “Firefighter of the Year” while under active investigation for first-degree sexual assault and domestic violence. Shockingly, he was allowed to continue working as a Pascoag EMT while indicted—and even after being formally charged and convicted, he was allowed to return to the department.
These actions reflect a complete failure in leadership and accountability.
I commend Richard for making the incredibly difficult decision to step away after years of dedicated service—choosing integrity over complacency. It takes courage to stand up for what’s right, especially in a system that resists change
The fire-department drama in Burrilllville is ridiculous, as is the fact that Burrillville has three separate fire departments, each with their own administrative staff, wasting Burrillville tax dollars.
Merge the departments, get rid of the redundant staff, spread the savings to the boots on the ground and the equipment.
Exactly! Time to bring fire departments from the 19th century to 21st century! Merge!
“It was investigated through the proper chain of command and handled appropriately,” Dexter said. “The people involved were reprimanded and advised of the policy for impropriate conduct.”
What a joke.
Somebody should ask the chief if the accused person went through all the normal process when he got on (including screening by the hose company members) like every other volunteer who ever joined over the last century or if he was just let in because he is good friends with the chief.
Richard is a stand up guy who always put people first.
This is a huge loss for Pascoag.
Time to get rid of the board and merge the districts.
Sounds like a disgruntled member whose job was potentially on the line. Lastly if the gear and equipment are up to date and in compliance then it should be easy to produce those documents to this publication. Possibly upset the district didn’t purchase more vehicles and equipment from the company that he’s a sales manager for, hmmmm.
Sure does!
And remember, that lawsuit on compensation involved his son receiving compensation. One can look at it as a self-gratifying set of issues, but it seems more that he is one who speaks up, expects equal treatment for all, and is very safety conscious. Being quiet about issues, saying nothing, solves nothing. It instead allows hidden issues to remain hidden. Weakness. Which Mr Peck seems not to be, wants all facts out in the open. These types are often attacked but if he remains close-mouthed, that would have been a better stance? For whom? Time to check on the true quality of the equipment, etc. and commend him for having the guts to speak out. Care.
It was an absolutely amazing to work with Deputy Chef Peck. He tonight me many skills as new EMT and volunteer firefighter. I also want to thank all the men and women who took the time to train me as well. I wish him and the company best of luck. You provide an indispensable service to the community.
Thank you!
I support Deputy Chief Peck, as most personnel in Pascoag do. It is crazy to think that a Fire Chief, who is also a full time union professional firefighter, would jeopardize his staff by hiring full time “lateral” firefighter/emts who were not subjected to the same Firefighter physical agility assessment as required and or adopted by the FI Fire Chiefs Association. Many, at least three that I know of, are morbidly obese and most likely wouldn’t pass this assessment, which jeopardizes the safety of everyone working beside them. It also sets the District up for liability. Most of these lateral hires also bypassed the RI Fire Academy Recruit Academy, a full time firefighting academy, as many are using the certs they received as a volunteer member elsewhere. I hear some may have challenged the test, not even attending the actual basic firefighter training.
Standards are set for a reason. Shame on the Fire Chief.
Sounds like that brand new Tahoe could of waited.
Congratulations deputy chief Peck. As an outsider but somebody that has been part of this town for 60 years. And pay attention to Fire Dept details. Pascoag has issues. I agree with all of your statements. I have known you for many years you have always been a standup person in a proud person. Back in the day when most of us started as volunteers. Things were so much better. Now it’s just a political game. I respect your decision very much so deputy chief Peck. I understand where you came from, and to where you have become and seen the failures. Reading this article raises a lot of concerns. But as a member of a local volunteer fight department in the past. I still monitor all of our local fire apartments. And I have a lot of concerns on response time. I hope that you’re leaving with a clear conscience. As you should Because you are one of the good ones. I don’t know what your constituents think nor do I care. I’m on your side. God bless you and your family.