2016 -- S 2728

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LC005302

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING JAMES E. TAYLOR ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE

PROVIDENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT AFTER TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF DEVOTED

AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF PROVIDENCE

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Ruggerio, Goodwin, Ciccone, and Metts

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, James E. Taylor began his distinguished public service career as a

firefighter when he graduated from the Training Academy in 1989. His first duty assignment was

with Ladder Company 5, serving as a Firefighter and EMT. His duty assignments were varied,

ranging from providing fire protection and performing search and rescue, to responding to gas

leaks and car rollovers, and working alongside rescue companies. In addition, while performing

his normal duties, he apprehended a purse snatcher. For his service above and beyond, he

received a Citizens Award from the Providence Police Department and a Citation from the Rhode

Island Department of Elderly Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, From 1991 to 1995, and from 1996 to 1999, Mr. Taylor served as a

Firefighter and EMT with Engine Company 10. Between his two stints with Engine Company 10,

he served from 1995 to 1996 as a Chief's Aid with Battalion 3. His duties included providing

technical assistance at emergency scenes, maintaining fire ground accountability, ascertaining

each unit's position and activity, and advising the Chief of conditions warranting immediate

attention; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor was promoted to the position of Dispatcher Lieutenant in 1999,

and was assigned to serve with the Bureau of Operational Control, where he was responsible for

maintaining accurate receipts and transmissions of alarms while on duty. He was also responsible

for assigning personnel to their respective operating positions, supervising two civilian fire

dispatchers, and performing the duties of Dispatcher Captain during absences. He received a Unit

Citation for keeping an individual calm on the phone while firefighters saved her from a burning

house; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor was promoted to the position of Dispatcher Captain in 2002, and

was responsible for ensuring the accurate and effective dispatching of departmental units and

personnel. He was the supervisor of 12 civilian dispatchers and five dispatcher lieutenants and

also oversaw staffing, payroll, and scheduling within the division. He had numerous

accomplishments during his tenure as Dispatcher Captain including, developing and

implementing all training programs for dispatchers, implementing a new Computer Aided

Dispatch System (CAD), and rebuilding 1500 cards for dispatching; and

     WHEREAS, In 2006, Mr. Taylor was promoted to the position of Chief of

Communications for the Bureau of Operational Control. In this position, he was responsible for

the management of the Operational Control Room and served as the official liaison between the

Providence Fire Department and the Department of Telecommunications. His varied duties

included planning, managing and directing operations, monitoring compliance with regulatory

standards, and providing the prompt response of companies and units to alarms of fire and other

calls for assistance in other emergencies. In addition, he was instrumental in implementing the

800MHz Radio System for the Providence Fire Department, implementing BDA ordinance and

submitting it for passage by the Providence City Council, updating inventory lists of master boxes

within the city, and effecting a $500.00 annual fee ordinance for master boxes that was passed by

the City Council; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor was promoted to the position of Administrative Aide to the

Chief of Department, where he currently serves. He reports directly to the Chief of Department or

the Acting Chief of Department and his responsibilities include updating and maintaining the

Injury Track Report of members injured on duty or on sick leave, conducting investigations of

disciplinary infractions, identifying potential operational and administrative cost savings to the

Department, and overseeing departmental billing practices for EMS through Comstar along with

Master Box and Plan Review Fees. He has also been responsible for preparing and submitting the

Annual Report for each division within the fire department for the past four years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor graduated from Providence College in 1993, with an Associate

of Science/Fire Science degree. He is also a licensed State of Rhode Island Emergency Medical

Technician-Cardiac License. In his spare time, he has served as the Vice President and President

of the Elmwood Little League; and

     WHEREAS, James E. Taylor is a resident of Providence. He has always been very

involved in community affairs and has devoted countless hours to charitable endeavors and

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efforts to strengthen the community. As a member of the Providence Fire Department, he was

known for his exemplary work ethic, his ability to communicate effectively with others, his

superb leadership skills, and his superior problem solving skills. Mr. Taylor will be sorely missed

by his colleagues within the Providence Fire Department; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby congratulates James E. Taylor on his retirement from the Providence Fire Department

after twenty-eight years of devoted and meritorious service to the citizens of Providence. We

wish him a most happy retirement and 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 Mr. James E. Taylor.

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