William S. Bailey, III, a career firefighter with more than 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, has been appointed Tiverton’s new fire chief, effective November 14.

The Tiverton Town Council on Monday ratified a three-year employment contract that provides a base salary the first year of $97,250 and total annual compensation, including benefits, of $142,538.

Bailey, a resident of Middletown, is a Fire Captain/Acting Battalion Chief with the City of East Providence Fire Department. He has been with the city since 1994, when he joined the department as a firefighter and gradually rose through the ranks.

Bailey’s professional roles include Emergency Management Executive Administrator with the City of East Providence Emergency Management Team. He is also a faculty member at the Community College of Rhode Island where he is a visiting lecturer, assistant professor and program director of fire science.

Ratification of the contract on Monday night was approved by a vote of 4-1, with councilors Mike Burk, Donna Cook, Jay Edwards, and Deb Janick voting in favor and councilor Bill Vieira opposed. Councilors Denise deMedeiros and Joe Perry were absent. Vieira, when asked after the meeting the reason for his dissenting vote, said he had no comment.

The town’s fire chief position has been vacant since July 31, 2022, when former Chief Bruce Reimels retired. Craig Committo currently serves as Tiverton’s acting fire chief.