Fire chief challenges staff to keep momentum

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 6/14/16

Although Fire Chief James McLaughlin said the Warwick Fire Department has had a lot of “great momentum” in the past six months, he called on recently promoted firefighters to “step up to the …

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Fire chief challenges staff to keep momentum

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Although Fire Chief James McLaughlin said the Warwick Fire Department has had a lot of “great momentum” in the past six months, he called on recently promoted firefighters to “step up to the challenge of their new roles.”

Wednesday night the Warwick Fire Department hosted a promotional ceremony at City Hall, recognizing the promotions of 16 firefighters and the retirement of eight.

In his address McLaughlin thanked retirees for their service as well as the families of those promoted. He said that it is a competitive process to rise in ranks within Warwick’s department, participants sacrificing time to study for “rigorous” test and prepare for new roles. It is thanks in part to the support of their families that individuals at the ceremony were receiving their promotions,” he said.

“People often ask why people want to come to the Warwick’s department despite having one of the most grueling training process,” McLaughlin said. “I believe it is because people respect the commitment and dedication we have to our department and our city.”

Mayor Scott Avedisian agreed. He pointed out that one of the ceremony’s guests, Edward Duckworth, who was there to see his son-in-law, James Kenney, promoted to Assistant Chief, was in the same room, for a similar ceremony more than 60 years ago. Back then he saw his father, Thomas Duckworth, sworn in as the first fire chief of the permanent Warwick Department.

“Here is the same family still fighting for and defending our city 60 years later,” Avedisian said. “These promotional ceremonies are a way to reward our own people and all they have done for this city.”

McLaughlin recognized both Kenney as well as new Deputy Chief Thomas Maymon, both joined the department at the same time, June 1986. McLaughlin said that the two firefighters, who just celebrated 30 years on the force, have “incredible” dedication to the department.

“They are very deserving of these promotions for all they have put into this department,” McLaughlin said.

The fire chief said over the last 6 months, the Warwick Fire Department has made a lot of strides, and the department succeeds because of that dedication.

He said, “My job as chief is to make this department a little better than the day before, and that is feasible for me because I have a great team behind me.”

As confident as McLaughlin is in his team, he challenged those receiving promotions to “step up to the challenge” of their new roles, especially those in charge of a team for the first time.

McLaughlin said that those under command do “not need another friend,” but rather, “someone to show leadership, to show them direction, and be able to make the hard decisions. Sometimes they need someone to say no.”

For those who will be commanding a team for the first time, McLaughlin said they are no longer responsible for just themselves. Those promoted are now accountable for the men under them and they must act as a role model. In their new roles they should hold higher standards for their team, just as they are now being held to.

The promotions were as follows: James Kenney, who joined the department in June of 1986, was appointed Assistant Chief; Thomas Maymon who joined the department in June 1986, Deputy Chief; Thomas Sinotte, Battalion Chief; Robert Bubar who joined the department in May 1989, Battalion Chief; Thomas Sugrue, who joined in October 1988, Battalion Chief; Scott Capwell, who joined the force on October 1995, Captain; Bryan Barlow, who joined in May 1993, Captain; Paule Letourneau, who joined the department in October 1995, Captain; Marc Lamiroy, who joined Warwick’s department in September 1989, Captain; William Alsfeld, who joined the department in May 2000, Lieutenant; Robert Vallely, who joined in February 2003, Lieutenant; John Pella, who joined in May of 2000, Lieutenant; Philip Doar, who joined the department in March of 1997, Lieutenant; Patrick Crowley, who joined the department in October 2004, Lieutenant; Normand Lemay, who joined the department in October 2004, Lieutenant and William Lloyd, who joined the force in March of 1997, Rescue Lieutenant.

Those recognized for their retirement were Assistant Chief David Morse, Deputy Chief Francis Colantonio, Battalion Chief Frederick Trudell, Captain William Tyler, Lieutenant Timothy Packhem, Rescue Lieutenant Jeremey Beecher, Firefighter Stanly Zuba and Firefighter Gregory Montecalvo.

Comments

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  • Thecaptain

    A Fire Thief, Mayor, and finance director, non of which were able to explain how sick time or overtime was accounted for during the budget hearings. A fire contract that states all substitutions must be approved in writing yet no documents exist. The Fire Thief states there were numerous firefighters out sick yet could not account for the breakdown of sick time and had no answers as to why no sick time was docked. Then you have the finance chair Wilkinson who votes for a contract without reading it, dockets a forensic audit for all departments, removes the resolution for a forensic audit and states she will docket a general audit, fails to docket a general audit and states she wants a review of "best practices". Fails to put forth the review of "best practices", and then has no questions to ask when the Fire Thief is unable to account for sick time. Yet we wonder why Warwick is a fiscal mess?

    Tuesday, June 14, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Congratulations to all who were promoted. We are all proud of the quality of the Warwick Firefighters.

    Granted, we need greater communication, a little more attention to detail and a lot less criticism. It's a job that most of us don't have the grit to even attempt. Count me as one who couldn't.

    Our fire department isn't perfect but they are better than any in Rhode Island in my opinion. I have seen firefighters from other communities trying to get into Warwick but I haven't yet seen any of our people leaving. Other departments are splintered into several groups counteracting each other. Warwick is a loyal, very experienced team working together.

    You can't ask for much better than that, quality wise. We just need better communication between the firefighters and the Mayor's office.

    As Mayor, I will provide that.

    Enjoy the Summer.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, June 14, 2016 Report this

  • DougMartin

    Richard, where is the lack of communication now?

    Tuesday, June 14, 2016 Report this

  • Kammy

    I appreciate all the hard work and dedication the Warwick Fire Department exhibits day in and day out. They are constantly working and helping out the citizens of this city. I live just off Post Road and I hear them responding to the calls. We keep them busy and they are always there when we need them. I really don't care about all the political BS surrounding this department because the firefighters who are responding are doing a great job. We are really lucky to have them in our corner. Thank you to all and congratulation on your promotions. I know you will do us proud.

    Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear DougMartin,

    Good question.

    It's on the part of the Mayor. I met with 4 firefighters this week. I listened. I expressed my opinions. So did they. We agreed on just about everything, and when we were done I got the distinct impression that they never got such open dialogue from Avedisian. They ALWAYS will get it from me. Then, we will go to Dave's Bar and Grill, or The Greenwood Inn or Lemongrass.

    Total communication is essential to have a healthy partnership between the Firefighters and the Mayors Office. I don't believe they have that today. I guarantee they will have it after November.

    Enjoy your Summer

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor

    Thursday, June 16, 2016 Report this