2015 -- H 5528

========

LC001862

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF CENTRAL COVENTRY FIRE

CHIEF ANDREW J. BAYNES (RET.)

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Morin, Nunes, Jacquard, and Nardolillo

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this House has learned of the passing of

Andrew J. Baynes, the beloved husband of Ann Baynes, his wife of forty years, the devoted

father of Bryan Baynes, and the widely admired retired Fire Chief of the Central Coventry Fire

District and the Town of Johnston Fire Department, and the retired Battalion Chief of the

Warwick Fire Department; and

     WHEREAS, Andrew Baynes was born in the City of Providence, a son of the late John

and Barbara Baynes. He was the brother of John Baynes, Deborah Baker, and Dr. Diane Baynes;

and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from Cranston High School, Mr. Baynes earned an

Associate's degree in Fire Science and an Associate's degree in Nursing from the Community

College of Rhode Island, and a Bachelor's degree in Fire Safety Engineering from Providence

College. He had continued his education, working towards a Master's degree in Public

Administration from Rogers Williams University and was enrolled in a Certificate Program at

Cornell University; and

     WHEREAS, Andrew Baynes served our country with honor in the United States Coast

Guard from 1967 through 1971. Once he completed his service, he became a member of the

Warwick Fire Department. Through his tenure with the department, he served as a firefighter,

rescue driver and officer, a Fire Lieutenant and Fire Captain and was ultimately promoted to the

position of Battalion Chief. He retired from the department in July of 2002; and

     WHEREAS, In 2007, Chief Baynes was named Chief of the Town of Johnston Fire

Department, a position he held until 2011, when shortly thereafter, he took the helm as Chief of

the Central Coventry Fire District; and

     WHEREAS, While Chief Baynes' family always came first in his heart, his firefighters

and the district were never far from his thoughts. Although faced with myriad financial hurdles,

he earned the highest respect of Coventry's firefighters with whom he worked, and is credited

with keeping "the troops calm and focused" as the district underwent receivership and

reorganization; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Baynes' dedication and service to the Warwick, Johnston, and

Coventry communities and his profession also included membership and leadership positions on

numerous professional associations and committees. In addition, he attended many fire safety and

training programs and was a registered nurse, serving as the assistant Director of Nursing

Services for the Institute of Mental Health from 1988 until 1993; and

     WHEREAS, Many people will go through their lives without any personal contact with a

potential life or death situation, without a defining moment that turns an ordinary person into a

hero. Chief Baynes faced such challenges many times over during the course of his career as a

firefighter and there is no doubt that he left this world a far better place because of his life’s

endeavors; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby extends its deepest sympathy on the untimely passing of Chief

Andrew J. Baynes; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Ann Baynes and Family.

========

LC001862

========

LC001862 - Page 2 of 2