Firefighter shopping made easy

To the Editor:

For the record, it does not bother me much when I see a fire truck at Stop & Shop. I know that they are supposed to shop on their own time and I have discussed this issue with a few dozen firefighters and have drawn the conclusion that there are times when it can’t be helped and a few times when it can and should. I met with now-retired Chief Armstrong and many others during 2015 and 2016 and came away believing that it was no big issue. I still don’t it’s a big issue, but being a man of solutions, rather than rants, I suggest the following:

1. The use of Peapod.

Stop & Shop has a delivery service. The delivery fees are between $7 and $18. The delivery is “next-day” on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday.

2. The use of Peapod/Pickup.

Stop & Shop also offers

Peapod/Pickup service and for only $3 they will bring the designated pre-paid groceries to the vehicle waiting in the Stop & Shop parking lot eliminating the need for our firefighters to leave the truck. The service, however, is still “next-day.”

3. Self-help delivery.

Maybe one of the family members of one of the firefighters could use a few extra dollars and would handle the grocery delivery when food is needed “same-day.” This was suggested by the commercial service rep at Peapod as a solution to their other accounts that sometimes need it next-day and sometimes need it “now.”

4. Independent grocers.

  I bet that if the firefighters called, someone would deliver. I can’t speak for them, but if a pizza can be delivered, it makes logical sense that the independent grocer could too.

5. Or…

maybe we should just cut them some slack on this one. I’m not saying that the Warwick Fire Department contract is perfect, far from it. There are issues that certainly need improvement for the taxpayers, the firefighters, and the retirees alike. I just don’t think it’s such a big deal if they stop briefly to pick up some food. Other towns and cities allow it.

Finally…

I spoke to

a lady named Linsay in the Providence Fire Department, a lieutenant in the East Greenwich Fire Department, a clerk in the Deputy Chiefs office of the Cranston Fire Department, and a lady in the West Warwick Fire Department. They all said that the practice has always been allowed in their towns/cities and here is the interesting part. Every one that I spoke to said that no one has ever complained. Ever.

Rick Corrente

Warwick