Warren fire chief settles into the job

Warren Town Council swore James Sousa in Tuesday evening

By Ted Hayes
Posted 11/20/17

The Warren Town Council swore in new Warren Fire Chief James Sousa last Tuesday night but the chief, who started with the force as a teenager growing up in Touisset, has already been on the job for …

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Warren fire chief settles into the job

Warren Town Council swore James Sousa in Tuesday evening

Posted

The Warren Town Council swore in new Warren Fire Chief James Sousa last Tuesday night but the chief, who started with the force as a teenager growing up in Touisset, has already been on the job for nearly a month. Replacing retired Chief Al Galinelli won’t be easy, he admitted, but the Touisset resident said he is excited to try. Amidst a busy first few weeks and a flurry of paperwork to catch up with, he stopped for a few minutes Tuesday morning to talk about his transition into the job and what he hopes for one of Rhode Island’s most successful volunteer departments.

 

Have you gotten used to the fact yet that this is your department? 

I don’t know if it’s hit me yet. I respect Chief Galinelli tremendously and always will. To put myself at his level, it’s hard. But this is a career path that I find very interesting and always have. It’s very rewarding in a lot of ways.

 

Have their been any surprises during your first few weeks?

It’s a busy office and the administration side is very challenging, but I expected it to be quite busy. With inspections, insurance, plan review and things like that it’s been quite busy but you get used to it. I knew that going in. 

Out in town, it’s nice to see the amount of support the department has and how aware the people are of the changes within the town. They know what’s going on. Some may not know your name but they know the situation and are happy to see you. Coming from the fire service, it’s not all new to me. 

 

Sleeping much?

Being a volunteer, we always have that ear open to the tone going off in the middle of the night. Now there’s a little bit of a different feeling knowing that you’re listening for the whole town, not just the district. The first week with the storm was a little busy, but as far as the fire side goes, it has been OK.

 

When Chief Galinelli left, he said there were changes within the department that he believed needed to be made, but that he would leave those to the new guy. Any plans?

Right now, no. Being a volunteer department, you have to go with what works. Chief Galinelli had a good system going, he’s brought it a long way and I would like to continue that, modernize and bring the department into the future. Training requirements are becoming much more stringent and to do that with a volunteer department is challenging.

 

Why is that?

With volunteers’ work schedule, a lot of trainings are during the week, during the day. So we have to get them nights and weekends and that takes time away from their family. You have to find a away to balance that to keep the interest, and that goes back to fire prevention. Keeping the call volume down helps keep it possible to stay a volunteer department.

 

How is volunteerism these days?

It comes in waves. You get a bunch come through and then you have a lull. What’s difficult is keeping younger members involved because they have to move on to their lives and careers, and it gets difficult. Once they get settled with their families and careers they come back and get involved again.

 

You talked about modernization. In what respect?

With technology the way it is, we want a better way of tracking who’s going on calls, getting them into the report and making sure their training is up to date. As far as equipment, we’re good but you always want to keep up with that. The chief was very good about that. Knowing that he was going to retire he kept a lot of that stuff up to date and ready to go.

 

You were assistant chief for 23 years. Who’s next?

I’ve still got to meet with the officers of the company a few more times and see what they’re looking for for the direction of the department, and what their needs are. The (assistant chief) decision hasn’t come out yet. I want to meet with the other assistant chiefs and decide that going forward. It doesn’t have to be done right away so I’m just trying to put out a feel for it and then we’ll start the process.

 

Still working with the former chief?

He’s been helping me out, going on inspections with me. We’re going to a lot of inspections but it’s a good sign, because it means that buildings are being renovated in town. I have been pleasantly surprised that there’s that activity with modernizing and renovating.

 

You probably noticed the lawn signs thanking Chief Galinelli that have sprouted up around town. Do you think you’ll get your own one day?

No, probably not. If I could only fill his shoes. He deserves everything he gets.


Thanks chief, best of luck.

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Thank you.

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