Warren to hire Fire Prevention Officer

New full-time position will report to Warren Fire Chief

By Ted Hayes
Posted 6/14/18

The Town of Warren will soon hire its first full-time Fire Prevention Officer, a position long sought by former Warren Fire Chief Al Galinelli and more recently his successor, Chief James …

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Warren to hire Fire Prevention Officer

New full-time position will report to Warren Fire Chief

Posted

The Town of Warren will soon hire its first full-time Fire Prevention Officer, a position long sought by former Warren Fire Chief Al Galinelli and more recently his successor, Chief James Sousa.

The position, which pays $65,000 including benefits, was approved by the Warren Town Council during the town’s budget process this Spring and council members settled on a final job description at last week’s meeting. The vacancy will be posted this week and Chief Sousa said he and Warren Town Manager Kate Michaud hope to settle on a successful candidate within a month or so.

“It’s definitely needed,” Chief Sousa said. “Most other towns have them and it’s just going to be a big help.”

The officer, who will also be the Warren Fire Marshal, will be responsible for enforcing the Rhode Island State Fire Code, performing inspections and plan review of all new construction and renovations, assisting with the investigation of fires, performing smoke detector/carbon monoxide certifications, performing compliance inspections for all new businesses and those that change hands, developing, creating and implementing public safety education presentations, managing hazardous substance issues, responding to EMS incidents including hospital transport when necessary, and other duties deemed necessary by the chief.

Former chief Galinelli had previously sought a full-time officer in this role, but previously was only granted a part-time officer. Chief Sousa said that with the qualifications the town requires of the successful candidate, having a part-time person in that rule just was not feasible.

“We tried doing it part time but it wasn’t successful,” said the chief, as candidates with the qualifications necessary generally already have good jobs and don’t have the time to put in part-time work in addition to that. Also, he said, the position requires a substantial business hours presence.

Chief Sousa said he spends a large percentage of his time overseeing inspections and other matters that he believes will be better served by the new position. Ever since The Station nightclub fire 16 years ago, the volume of paperwork and other regulations that must be followed in new construction and renovations has grown almost exponentially. Dealing with those regulations, as well as other duties, “doesn’t leave me the time I need to deal with other department issues.”

“For one person to do all that, it’s tough,” he said. “Other towns have multiple people” to take care of those issues.

Minimum qualifications for the position include:

* High school diploma

* Certified Fire Inspector

* Certified Fire Fighter, Level I and II

* Rhode Island Emergency Medical Technician certification

* Knowledge of basic and applied computer skills, as well as IMC reporting system.

Preferred qualifications include:

* Working knowledge of structure of Warren Fire and Rescue Department

* Previous fire inspection experience

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