Six months after the deadly fire at Gabriel House assisted living facility exposed how short-staffing in the Fall River Fire Department cost lives, firefighters have received their share of congratulations for their heroism, seen proposals for change, heard promises that everyone in power would take steps to improve working conditions.

 

Firefighter Michael O’Reagan said for boots-on-the-ground firefighters, actual progress on improving their conditions has been minimal.

 

“Government moves at the speed of slow,” said O’Reagan.

 

Every day, the department is called upon to answer calls for accidents, medical emergencies and structure fires, while enduring what O’Reagan called low pay, overwork, staffing that falls below national standards, aging equipment, and facilities that are a health hazard.

 

See more at heraldnews.com.