Fire tower

Grant enables new training tower, equipment to deal with emergencies

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 11/24/15

Thanks to a nearly $900,000 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), the Warwick Fire Department now has not only new sprinkler and alarm systems in six stations, but also a large training tower. …

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Fire tower

Grant enables new training tower, equipment to deal with emergencies

Posted

Thanks to a nearly $900,000 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), the Warwick Fire Department now has not only new sprinkler and alarm systems in six stations, but also a large training tower.

The tower, located at Station 8, has been erected in the name of the late Battalion Chief, Richard Erban.

Erban joined the department in 1966 and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 1988. It was unanimously decided to dedicate the training tower to Erban because of his dedication to training; he ran the training department for many years.

Erban’s legacy continues on not only through the tower, but also his son, Jason Erban, who is a Warwick firefighter at Station 8 and also worked on the grant team to secure the federal funding.

The tower, made up of large red shipping containers, will allow Warwick’s department and others from across the state to train for a variety of emergencies, including rescues in confined spaces, during a structural collapse and other emergency responses. The structure’s components cannot only be rearranged, but the entire facility can also move, allowing use from other stations and departments.

At a dedication ceremony Friday morning, Fire Chief Edmund Armstrong expressed that he had wanted to do something similar, but the city couldn’t afford it.

He thanked the state’s Congressional delegation and all those involved in obtaining the AFG.

The AFG, run through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, financially helps fire departments and other emergency medical service organizations in training initiatives. The total for the grant was $894,989.

Senator Jack Reed, who supported the application and annually hosts fire grant workshops, said the training tower would not only honor Erban and his family, but all of Warwick’s firefighters, who risk their lives every day, and their families.

“This will continue to provide training for our firefighters to develop skills to protect themselves and the community,” he said. “This was a sound investment of federal dollars.”

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said in a statement, the tower will help Warwick and other departments train for the “special challenges facing Rhode Island first responders – from fires at aging industrial facilities to swift water rescues along our coastline.”

Whitehouse wrote a letter of support for the application.

He said, “Our fire and rescue personnel put themselves at risk to keep us safe, and I’m proud to help provide them the best possible training and equipment.”

Congressman James Langevin said he had a personal connection to supporting Warwick’s application. He said that after his accident, it was the fire department that got him to the hospital and he knows firsthand their professionalism and dedication to safety.

“We can advocate for each department, but it comes down to the quality of a department and their firefighters themselves to get this money,” Langevin said.

He said this training tower will ensure that every firefighter is “on top of their game” to keep the citizens of Warwick safe.

Mayor Scott Avedisian pointed out that, with the leadership demonstrated by the department itself, the grants would never have been possible. He also personally commended Armstrong for all of his efforts. Between new trucks, the new training tower and the almost completed Potowomut Station, Avedisian said Armstrong has provided positive change and led the department in innovation.

“This tower is not only important to the department, but the whole city,” Avedisian said. “This represents the dedication of all of our firefighters.”

Although Avedisian said we never hope for accidents or emergencies, the new training tower will help prepare fire fighters and other first responders should they ever happen.

“It is comforting to know we will be ready should anything ever happen,” he said.

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  • richardcorrente

    Congratulations Fire Chief Armstrong, on the new training tower at station 8. It's unfortunate that the city claimed we couldn't afford it. It is very fortunate that our congressional delegation had greater vision and, combined with your efforts, obtained the needed finances. Again, congratulations on your persistence.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Tuesday, November 24, 2015 Report this