Warren near confirmation as permanent fire chief

Posted 3/17/21

By DANIEL KITTREDGE The Cranston Fire Department's acting chief is poised to win confirmation to the role on a permanent basis. During a special meeting last week, the City Council's seven-member Finance Committee unanimously recommended that the full

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Warren near confirmation as permanent fire chief

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The Cranston Fire Department’s acting chief is poised to win confirmation to the role on a permanent basis.

During a special meeting last week, the City Council’s seven-member Finance Committee unanimously recommended that the full council approve Mayor Ken Hopkins’s nomination of Acting Fire Chief James Warren to lead the department.

Warren, who began his career in Cranston in 1985, has served as acting chief since the January retirement of former Chief Stephen MacIntosh. Hopkins nominated him for the permanent appointment in February.

In presenting the nomination to council members, Personnel Director Daniel Parrillo said Warren has the “well being of his firefighters and the community at heart.”

“I don’t think you could have a better person leading that charge” as the city’s fire chief and emergency management director, Parrillo added.

Director of Administration Anthony Moretti told council members he and Hopkins had not met Warren prior to the start of the mayor’s term in January. Since then, he said, Warren’s “experience, his dedication and his character” have become evident. He spoke of Warren’s role in setting up and running the city’s COVID-19 vaccination site at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, calling it a “stellar program that they’ve executed flawlessly.”

“He’s a humble guy … and a man who cares about the city of Cranston and the people he serves,” Moretti said.

The Fire Department has seen significant leadership transitions in recent years. In 2019, William McKenna retired as chief after nearly a decade on the job, and former Mayor Allan Fung nominated Paul Valletta, then assistant chief, as his successor. Valletta later withdrew his name from consideration, however, leading the nomination and appointment of MacIntosh.

Fostering diversity among the Fire Department’s ranks has for some time been the subject of debate among city officials, and it became a frequent topic during the 2019 advise and consent process to fill the vacancy left by McKenna’s departure.

As part of an effort to address the issue, Fung, at the recommendation of the Diversity Commission, announced in 2019 a change in the EMT-C cardiac licensure requirement for firefighters, allowing the license to be obtained on a post-employment basis as a means of eliminating cost barriers.

During last week’s special meeting, Warren said the EMT-C change is “one of the most important” steps in the department’s recruitment efforts. He spoke of his experience serving on the Diversity Commission and his plans for expanded outreach.

“We want to get back into the schools as much as possible … get back into the community much more,” he said.

Ward 3 Councilman John Donegan said he was “really pleased” with the materials he has seen for the department’s upcoming recruitment push. He also called the EMT-C shift a “big step going forward.”

Donegan also applauded the “heroic efforts of the [Fire] Department over the last 12 months,” adding: “It’s a beacon of light that I think we’ve all witnessed.”

Ward 2 Councilwoman Aniece Germain recalled her first encounter with Warren, when he went out of his way to approach her and give her a business card.

“That showed that you are someone who can reach out to the community … [and] made me feel that you listen already,” she said.

Germain also urged the incoming chief to place a priority on retaining recruits who are women and people of color and to foster “an environment conducive to success.”

Ward 1 Councilwoman Lammis Vargas, who served on the Diversity Commission with Warren, described him as a “listener.” She, too, commended the EMT-C change and suggested engaging the city’s schools in recruitment efforts.

“I’m optimistic. I appreciate your open-mindedness … I don’t expect things to change overnight, but I’m glad to hear you recognize it,” Citywide Councilwoman Jessica Marino said.

Citywide Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli added: “I’m thankful to you for your commitment to diversity in hiring.”

Council President Chris Paplauskas noted that Warren spent nearly a decade as the lieutenant on Engine 3, one of the department’s busiest vehicles.

“I know you’ll do an excellent job … You absolutely have the experience,” he said.

chief, fire

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