Peter McMichael knows two things for certain when it comes to taking on his new role as chief of the Warwick Fire Department.
“There’s a lot of problems here to be solved, but they’re not …
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Peter McMichael knows two things for certain when it comes to taking on his new role as chief of the Warwick Fire Department.
“There’s a lot of problems here to be solved, but they’re not unsolvable,” he said in response to a question about why he applied for the job during a Tuesday morning interview. “And I feel pretty confident that I can be a great part of that solution.”
Originally from Cumberland and a member of the Providence Fire Department for nearly 30 years, McMichael said that he knew he wanted to be a firefighter “from day one,” and joined the training academy when he was just 19, officially joining the ranks in 1989. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2006 and became captain of the city’s fire prevention/arson squad in 2014. He served as Providence’s fire marshal since 2015, responsible for a 30-person unit and preparing a $1.5 million budget annually.
Following his retirement from the Providence Fire Department, McMichael said the job opportunity in Warwick caught his attention. As Warwick’s department has come under heavy scrutiny in the past couple years over allegations of financial mismanagement and the “gaming” of systems such as banked sick time – plus a confirmation from Mayor Joseph Solomon that the FBI is making inquiries into the department’s operations – in addition to high turnover at the chief position, why he would feel up to stepping directly into that spotlight?
“That’s the thing about firefighters. Firefighters see a problem, and they want to fix it. And that’s universal. It’s just their nature,” he said. “None of the problems here are issues that haven’t been faced someplace else at some time. Everybody on board wants to find solutions to them. No one likes being in the paper in a negative way week after week. It wears on morale and it’s just not productive.”
While McMichael openly admits that the department has issues that need to be sorted out, he isn’t jumping to his own conclusions. He said that one of his main, immediate goals will be to improve transparency and accountability in the department, starting off with a priority of his to obtain proper accounting software that will track things like accrued sick time and vacation time, along with payroll.
These accounting endeavors, it has been revealed through the reporting of this paper along with other news organizations, have long been done in-house on pencil and paper ledgers without adequate oversight. That will change, McMichael pledged.
Accountability
“If I was to comment on what’s gone on here on any topic over the past couple of years, really I’d be speculating. Because I wasn’t here. I do know that going forward, we’re trying to identify software that can be put into place that is transparent and accountable,” he said. “I think that’s going to solve a lot of these type of issues going forward.”
McMichael said that he has built a long career guided by a strong set of morals. He said his calling to become a firefighter wasn’t related to another family member doing it first, but rather stems from a childhood fascination with firefighters being always at the ready to help those in need.
He said setting a good example from up top will go a long way to address the challenge of being brought in from the outside to address issues with a department that has always hired its chiefs from within.
“There’s nothing easy about it. But I think if I’m honest and upfront with everybody, I think that goes a long way,” he said. “No matter what I’ve done over the course of my career, I’ve always done it so that I can look myself in the mirror the next day and not be afraid of who’s looking back at me. I think one of the best ways to do that is by having a strong moral compass. If you don’t have a strong moral compass and a sense of right and wrong, then you probably shouldn’t be in this position.”
Being in the chief’s position will also mean that McMichael must navigate a tricky situation between the city’s dire financial situation and the fact that the firefighters’ union remains without a contract since their previous collective bargaining agreement elapsed last summer.
McMichael couldn’t say at this time whether that new contract would include salary increases, as he still has to sit down with city finance director Brian Silvia to get a better grasp on the numbers. Again, he said that encouraging respect and honesty from all parties would be necessary moving forward.
“The rank and file recognizes that I have a job to do, and the executive board recognizes that we’re not always going to agree all the time on every issue – nor should we. Because the union’s job is to fight for the health and safety and welfare of their membership,” he said.
Looking out for taxpayers, too
“As fire chief, I need to look out for that as well and also for the needs of the taxpayers. But we can still be respectful and honest and upfront with each other, and truthful and transparent. And I think if they see that in me, they’ll have more respect for me.”
Outside of public perception, the systemic changes necessary within the department and the financial burdens always looming over the department, McMichael has other immediately pressing issues as well.
“Some of the challenges that are right in front of me and staring me in the face are equipment challenges,” he said. “We’re in need of a ladder truck right now.”
McMichael clarified that Ladder 1 is currently in the shop for repairs, and a loaner truck from Massachusetts could be seen parked out from of the main station. He mentioned that another top priority would be to rebuild the department’s fleet to a healthy number of lead and reserve apparatuses, and that this could be accomplished through a combination of continued grant writing – which he heaped praise upon Warwick firefighters for taking on – and by purchasing used apparatus over new.
“I think one of the things that Warwick has is it’s got people that are willing to devote their time – their own time, not even while their working – to getting these grants written and submitted,” he said.
He added that in his experience, buying a used truck could range anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000, in comparison to a $600,000 to $1 million price tag for a new vehicle. Utilizing these types of “short-term solutions” would enable the department to slowly build its fleet in a fiscally responsible way while still applying for grants for new vehicles and retiring the oldest trucks from service.
“I think it’s really important to build the reserve fleet back up so you’re not dependent on these other cities and towns to see who has something you can borrow,” he said.
Fire code inspections
Elsewhere, McMichael said that Mayor Solomon was encouraged by his experience as a fire marshal, which meshed well with his intentions to streamline and improve the plan review process for fire code inspections necessary prior to the opening of new businesses.
McMichael confirmed that there is a backlog of pending reviews that go back as far as multiple months from when they were first submitted. He attributed the delays to a lack of adequate staffing, and targeted two specific ways he would look to immediately improve the logjam.
“That can be an obstruction to economic development if time is money, and people are wanting to build things and have to wait a long time to build things, that’s costing them money,” he said. “I had some experience with that in Providence and there’s a few things we’re going to do to try and rectify that here.”
First, he would seek modest funding to purchase new computer monitors for the fire inspection office so they could perform plan reviews online – a task apparently impossible currently due to outdated equipment. Second, he said he had already reached out to the state fire marshal’s office – located in Warwick – for some assistance, to which he said they agreed.
He said that these measures would hopefully prevent small businesses from needing to incur an expensive third-party plan review to fast track their code compliance, although that would still be an option for companies that have the money to spare.
“We want to be productive and receptive to the business community,” he said. “We don’t want to force a startup business to incur this fee. That’s why I like the ability to have the state fire marshal’s office to assist us.”
McMichael holds an associate’s degree from Providence College in fire science and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration from Roger Williams University. He also earned an Executive Education Certificate in strategic management of regulatory and enforcement agencies from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
All told, McMichael has only been the chief for about a week now, but he is excited about the opportunity and the challenges associated with it. Contrary to what some have purported in online comment sections, McMichael said that he has no personal relationship with either Mayor Solomon or Solomon’s cousin, Michael, who served on the Providence City Council for Ward 5 and as its president.
He said that despite the negative media attention and the issues that he acknowledged, he still believes that the department maintains the trust of the public, and that it still has many dedicated members who go the extra mile in their service to the public.
“You want to feed that,” he said. “If you’ve got people that are willing to go above and beyond to make the department a better department, which in turn makes us provide a better service, which will provide a better value to the taxpayers, then I want to be able to capitalize on that and nurture that and feed it all I can.”
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Warwick Man
The MOAs (side deals) are all I’m writing. These things happen every day in labor contracts. We are far from a good place. The new Mayor violates the contract weekly. Which will result in grievances and result in lawyers fees and will result in the city owing money. The contract is clear and he is playing games. The man in the corner office is not honest. You will see as all the arbitration rulings come out.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
Honestinfo
Based on this article, the chief has never been in charge of a firefighting shift. More importantly and extremely dangerous is the fact he has never been in command of a fire scene.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
My question would be, we have tried to get new software that handles all of this. Guess who shuts it all down. Finance committee and the council. What makes this guy different from all that we have tried to do only to be told as Ed Ladaceur frequently says “you can’t get everything you want”.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
wwkvoter
Once again corrente, ever delusional and amoral (with ZERO moral compass) proves again why is despite his phony and laughable tagline, is the mayor of NOTHING nor will ever be...
As to this new chief, hopefully he can fulfill these promises. Jimmy's comment about our FD not being approved for requested software to properly administer things like sick time is especially concerning. Finance committee sounds like they were being penny wise and pound foolish there.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
Former User
wwkvoter, I've been doing some reading of richard corrente's past comments, and found that he spent several weeks leading up to the Democratic primary calling Mayor Solomon and the city council "political insiders" and later accused Mayor Solomon of "buying votes" with the tax increase that the council passed.
And yet he's claiming that the city has reached some kind of solution with the fire union -- when there is still no contract.
This article quotes the new fire chief as saying he's willing to negotiate, and that he understands the union will fight on behalf of their members.
So, there's no "solution" yet, whatever richard corrente says. From what I've seen from his comments over the last month, he'll say the complete opposite in another week or two if he thinks it helps him.
I agree with you, Chief McMichael is making a lot of promises, and has a lot of past missteps to correct. Personally, I wish him luck.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
wwkvoter
uhhhh in case anyone has missed it or is new around here, another corrente delusion has been to pin a previous warwick admin's name to posters who criticize him. that's bad enough, however, corrente seems quite "rabid" about it. hopefully he doesnt fall into cote's have-a-hart trap, and instead gets the help he needs...
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
patientman
Our firefighters deserve to be safe & efficient. Easy solution. Next contracts include lower salaries to pay for the needed equipment & technology the department needs. Easy peasy.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
Honestinfo
So we have an article about the fire chief. No comments about his lack of credentials. Providence has been looking for a fire chief for years. Hymmmmm
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
Former User
wwkvoter, those stupid accusations are one of the first things I noticed about richard corrente.
He's had comments deleted for saying it, and it's probably a matter of time before his latest one is deleted, too.
I agree with you and I've told him before: he needs professional help for the clear personal problems that he has.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 Report this
Daydreambeliever
Acting Chief McMichael confronts challenges ? I worked for 37 years both volunteer and paid and I have many friends in this state and across state lines that had no indication that the City of Warwick was actively seeking a Chief. Many I've spoken with said they never saw it posted anyplace nor did any say they sent in a resume. Someone is fibbing a little as to how they knew and got the job when others far more qualified and interested never heard or were given a chance to apply and send in resumes.
As for his wish list:
Previous Chiefs have also asked for the correct software to stop using pencil and paper but the City Council always said no. (other departments also use pencil and paper to track vacations, sick, etc. not just the fire department so stop hopping on the animal killers back and think it's just a FD issue. It's a city wide issue that the council needs to address!!!!!)
Previous Chiefs have asked for apparatus again to be denied by the City Council only to be told no time and again.(the answer is used truck ? Seriously as front line ? ) You go down this road you will never see another new piece of apparatus.
The City Council and mayor should be praising the members of the WFD who have written grants on there own time to save the city millions. Had they not done this the city would have had to foot the bill but not one thank you ever leaves there mouths. The grant writing that was awarded by the federal government was for radios, SCBA's, apparatus, manpower, maybe other stuff I just can't recall. To me the City Council thinks this is the norm and would rather wait and see if we are awarded anything rather than purchase anything.
Acting Chief McMichael also needs a contract for his department and at least 25 firefighters sooner than later or his OT will be around $5 million annually and not the $750,000 the Council approves.
So how is this Chief going to acquire the software, apparatus issue, contract, hiring a new class any different than the prior Chiefs asking? I guess we will see but my guess is he's a Solomon pick and will get what he wants.
Friday, March 29, 2019 Report this
Daydreambeliever
This is for the active members of the WFD. We on the outside are hearing the Mayor is asking for resumes for acting Assistant Chiefs. If this is true you seriously need to look the other way and not apply.
He hung out Acting Chief Fontenault for 9 months offering no help and now he's willing to assign someone to help his pick McMichael ?
Let the Mayor eat his own words and allow Acting Chief McMichael to do the jobs of 3 for the price of 1 like his predecessor did.
So you say you still want to be an Acting Assistant Chief working more than the normal 40 hours, going to finance committee hearings, budget hearings, EMA meetings only to be treated like dirt from the council listening to Merolla and Ladocuer act like the almighty and demeaning you like a child? Shame on you and shame on you for stabbing your brother Fontenault in the back by offering this Chief help as well as the mayor.
He's been the mayor for 10 months and what has he done for you? Name one thing please !
I already have an idea who will put in for these positions and remember whatever rank you get chosen from that's your retirement pay not assistant chiefs pay so make the right choice and stay on the line.
Friday, March 29, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
Daydream makes some great points. I will add recently at a city council meeting the Police got a $40,000 grant. They got a standing ovation and praise from the finance committee. Then the Fire Dept gets a $770,000 grant and the they got not one acknowledgement from the council until the chief had to step for and acknowledg it himself. The lies being fed about this department are damaging morale. And they are lies. There is no FBI investigation into the Fire Department.
Secondly as Daydream points out. OT is going to be very high. The department is understaffed. The budget was for 212 positions. They are at 188 I believe. So while the OT line item will be HIGH. The salary line item will be a couple million under budget. Plus all that benefit money not spent. Don’t jump on the OT number unless your prepared to discuss the salary number as well. Good luck chief you’ve got a lot on your plate. When will the Mayor give you help? Your trying to do 4 jobs. ALOT IS NOT GETTING DONE.
Friday, March 29, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
The new Mayor cut our pay this week. VIOLATING the contract. Another grievance, more lawyers fees that he will 100% lose. Not sure who is advising him on contract law but they should go back to school.
Friday, March 29, 2019 Report this
Scal1024
You could go as far back as 2015 and look at the comments on any WFD article, any article on pensions and you will see similar comments from a few people. Pandering Corrente saying anything he possibly can on either side of the issue to try and get elected...AGAIN, Rob Cote and Bob Cushman talking about HUGE Dept cuts that had to be made immediately (pensions, benefits) and then I want you to look at comments I made 4 years ago on THIS VERY WEBSITE. I said it's great that Cote and Cushman want to come in and slash pensions and benefits, however, you gain NOTHING from any single Department without concessions on the city side. Its always unpopular to say but the city cannot expect to gain something without giving anything up. That is the cold hard truth, like it or not. I hope we're not having these same conversations 4 years from now. Ruling with an iron fist will only get us so far (as we have seen already that's not far at all.)
I have to laugh when I hear people rip on Solomon or rip the brand new Fire Chief. Of course Solomon is "the worst" etc if we elected Sue Stenhouse NOTHING WOULD CHANGE!!! Investigation OR NOT the current track we're on is unsustainable. Is anyone with a straight face going to argue that point? When I hear "overtime is up" and "grievances have been filed" you have to wonder how this actually ever gets fixed? Will we ever reach a total # of Firemen that will actually curb overtime costs (real question)? Will the grievances just magically stop on a dime? If we're already hearing complaints about the new Chief now, will those complaints suddenly disappear when he starts negotiating concessions on behalf of the WFD? I don't think so. I ask the multiple members of the WFD who comment here, how does this get fixed? If Solomon can't do anything right so far, how does he get you to the table to negotiate? The perception is it seems everyone is always willing to negotiate, until its actually time to head to the negotiating table. We cannot go another 2, 5 or 10 years with the same system in tact. If there is agreement on that are both sides really that far apart? The real question is how do we get there?
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
The union is always ready and willing to negotiate. When the man in corner office wants to start talking I think you will see a solution that works for all. He plays games now. He is very thin skinned and has a hard time, in my opinion with his job. The department is down over 30 personnel with another 3-5 retiring soon. We can’t negotiate if he won’t sit down and talk. AGAIN I WILL SAY, the union will play a big part in the solution to these problems.
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
Plus the mayor has to stop with cutting pay in clear violation of a contract just because he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Another grievance that HAS to be filed and the city will lose.
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Report this
wwkvoter
I think that any union's job is to advocate for themselves to get the best package possible. It's up to the city leadership who represent the taxpayers to advocate for moderation so the city budget can work without taxes getting excessive. It really is that simple.
Things got needlessly complicated when Avedisian apparently may have whispered into the ear of the FD that they could "get a little extra" without the council needing to be asked. Whatever happened, that secret dealing is no way to cause anything but the exact mayhem we have now.
(and that "little extra" is now 2.6 million or more which could easily buy a couple brand new fire trucks and a lot of other equipment , that we wont be able to buy now).
Above board. lets move things above board. But it's not the FD union's job to offer to give things up thats just not the way it works and its not their job.
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
Wwkvoter,
I agree with most of your comment, the only issue I have is nothing was done secretly or quietly. Everyday in contract law there are MOUs that clarify intent of a contract. The sick time issue was simply a clarification of how the time would be calculated and carried from month to month. Something the city wanted. The 2.6 million pension issue was the city failed to negotiate the change. Nothing secret, no schemes. They did not negotiate the change. The union filed a grievance. It’s that simple. Anyone that tells you it was a scheme to make money has ZERO clue what they are talking about.
The funny part is the mayor wants to go back to paying sick time yearly. Best part about that is he has to make a SIDE DEAL” to do that. You can’t make this stuff up.
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
As of 3/30/19 not one member of the Fire Department has spoken to the FBI. I think it’s time the mayor and city council pres clarify their statements. They didn’t want anyone seeing the audit so they made up this charade about the FBI. Those are your elected officials.
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Report this
RISchadenfreude
Looks like a useless administrator who's never run anything more than a lemonade stand has hired another useless administrator...God help Warwick.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
Anyone seen that Audit? Didn’t think so....
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Report this
allent
The challenge is to continue to gouge their taxpaying neighbors without getting caught. So far so good
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Report this
davebarry109
Time to get rid of the minimum manning on fire department. We don't need 212 fire positions in Warwick. Studies going back almost 20 years showed this. We have the most expensive fire department in the country, per capita. This must stop. There is no money. You cannot be allowed to ruin this city by raising taxes every year.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
Actually Dave the studies done by the city do not show that. They show the need for more. And that Per Capta crap is all a lie. In Rhode Island we combine fire with EMS. That per capta study dies not include this it only compares RI departments with other departments that strictly do fire calls. Please do some research
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Report this
Warwick Man
Then factor in the 2 Million plus in rescue billing that the department brings in that goes right to the general fund. The fire department is not the problem.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Report this