Hundreds Celebrate Ribbon-Cutting and Inaugural Graduation of RI Fire Training Academy

EXETER, RI – More than 300 people gathered at the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy today to celebrate the formal ribbon-cutting for the facility as well as the graduation of 14 recruits from the first-ever statewide training program for firefighters.
“These are individuals who will go into incredibly dangerous situations to save people they’ve never even met,” Congressman David Cicilline said of the graduates. “It’s up to us to do everything we can to make sure they have the best training and equipment available.”
Congressman Cicilline was among several federal, state and local officials who attended today’s ceremony, including Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman James Langevin. Also congratulating the graduates were Colonel Ann Assumpico, Superintendent of State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety; Fire Marshal John Chartier; and Michael DiBiase, Director of the state Department of Administration, and fire chiefs and public safety officials from throughout the region.
Marshal Chartier noted that the Rhode Island Fire Academy, a $9.6 million project, had been 15 years in the making, having first been approved by the General Assembly back in 2002. Phase I, the $6.4 million construction of a live burn building and training area, opened in 2011; Phase II was construction of $3.2 million, 8,100-square-foot building with two classrooms and administrative offices that opened earlier this year.
Instead of cutting a ceremonial ribbon to signal completion of the academy, Retired Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Michael DiMascolo, emcee for today’s ceremony, ordered firefighters to “charge the line” – filling a fire hose laying nearby with water. As firefighters ceremoniously sprayed the water into the air, DiMascolo declared: The new Rhode Island State Fire Training Academy is now officially open.”
Municipal Fire Academy Mark Pare introduced the 14 graduates from four communities who completed the nine-week training program and will go on to work for their respective fire departments:
Woonsocket Fire Department: Christopher R. Giles, Mason T. Keach, Scott R. Kulacz, David B. Northup, Joseph G. Pagnozzi, Brandon H. Rourke, Christopher D. Sundin and Nicholas K. Woodbine.
Central Falls Fire Department: Justin Carreno, Andres M. Nunez and Carlos J. Polanco
West Warwick Fire Department: Matthew D. Crowley and Stephen E. Rainville
Jamestown Fire Department: Anthony D. Simone
“I am very proud of what you have accomplished, both individually and as a team,” Pare said. “… I am confident you have the ability to serve your departments proudly in the years to come.”
The graduates were saluted and cheered by the more than 300 family, friends, supporters and politicians on hand.
“We are so incredibly proud of you and grateful for your willingness to step up and keep all of us and our communities safe,” Congressman Langevin said.
“These young men are making history as part of this first class,” Colonel Assumpico said. “I wish you much success in a very dangerous career, but one that’s also fulfilling.”