2016 -- H 7320

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LC004265

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING WARWICK FIRE CHIEF EDMUND ARMSTRONG ON HIS

RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF FAITHFUL AND EXEMPLARY

SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF WARWICK

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Solomon, McNamara, Naughton, and

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Warwick Fire Chief Edmund Armstrong grew up in Warwick, near Sandy

Lane, and close to Fire Station 4 on West Shore Road. Beginning as a youngster, he always had a

fascination with the fire department and its atmosphere and from there developed a yearning to

one day be a firefighter; and

     WHEREAS, In 1980, Chief Armstrong began his distinguished firefighting career when

he was accepted to be a member of the Warwick Fire Department. His hard work, diligence, and

devotion to the job was noticed by his superiors as he steadily rose up the ladder, attaining the

rank of Lieutenant in 1990, Captain in 1997, Battalion Chief in 2003, Assistant Chief in 2006,

and Chief in 2011; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Armstrong had many accomplishments during his distinguished

tenure as Warwick Fire Chief. As Acting Chief, he skillfully led the city's response to Tropical

Storm Irene, and was adept and innovative in his management and leadership of the Fire

Department and the Emergency Management Agency. However, the achievement that made him

the most proud was successfully overseeing the building of the Potowomut Fire Station, an

endeavor he worked tirelessly on to ensure its completion; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Armstrong is widely admired and deeply respected in Warwick and

throughout the State of Rhode Island for the outstanding job he did as the Chief of the Warwick

Fire Department. He was always available to residents, the elected officials in Warwick, and to

those serving under his command. Chief Armstrong has received unanimous praise in the wake of

his retirement with numerous City Council members effusively thanking him for his service, and

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian saying "I firmly believe that Warwick has the best fire

department in the entirety of the state, and it is no doubt a reflection of the strong leadership

efforts that Chief Armstrong has displayed during his tenure"; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Warwick Fire Chief Edmund Armstrong on his

retirement after thirty-five years of devoted and distinguished service to the citizens of Warwick.

We wish him a most happy and joyous retirement with his wife, Kathleen, and daughter, Kaitlin,

and we wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; 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 Warwick Fire Chief Edmund Armstrong.

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LC004265

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