2018 -- H 8051

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LC005421

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING CHRISTOPHER DEGRAVE ON BEING NAMED FIRE

CHIEF OF THE DUNN'S CORNERS FIRE DEPARTMENT

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, Kennedy, Azzinaro, Morin, and Messier

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, As all firefighters know and carry with them into each and every fire

situation they encounter, all fires can become erratic, unpredictable, and immensely dangerous.

Yet they work diligently and courageously to protect and preserve their neighbors and

communities, regardless of the perils or hazards they potentially face, and their accomplishments

are eminently worthy of our recognition; and

     WHEREAS, Christopher DeGrave graduated from the University of Rhode Island in

2006, and officially joined the South Kingstown Fire Department in 2005. Through dedication

and innate aptitude, he was named Deputy Chief in 2013, and also served as the department's

training officer; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. DeGrave worked for Providence Emergency Management

from 2006 through 2008, and subsequently served as the State of Rhode Island's ADA inspector

and the assistant state ADA coordinator. He also served as a member of the Governor's

Commission on Disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, With an impressive resume including a decade-and-a-half serving as a

volunteer firefighter, and administrative and leadership experience at both the municipal and state

levels, Deputy Chief DeGrave was named Fire Chief of the Dunn's Corners Fire Department in

February of 2018; and

     WHEREAS, The Dunn's Corners Fire Department had its origins, after the start of World

War II, with the creation of the Civilian Defense Organization. At the time, the United States

Government gave the Town of Westerly six firefighting trailers, one of which was placed at the

Dunn's Corners Filling Station. In July of 1942, the first meeting of the Dunn's Corners Fire

Department was held and in September of that year, they were given a 1936 Ford truck with a

500 GPM front-mounted pump by the Westerly Town Council; and

     WHEREAS, Today, the vast majority of firefighters in the Dunn's Corners Fire

Department are still unpaid volunteers "who give of themselves and their time for training and

responding to an ever-increasing number of calls relative to fire suppression or prevention"; and

     WHEREAS, Chief DeGrave has taken on "the challenge of maintaining the high quality

of service already in place while simultaneously enhancing public interaction and encouraging

community involvement in both department operations and activities"; and

     WHEREAS, The citizenry of Westerly and Charlestown lead far safer and more secure

lives due to the dedicated career of Chief Christopher DeGrave, and he is truly deserving of our

gratitude and acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes, honors and thanks Chief Christopher DeGrave on

being named Fire Chief of the Dunn's Corners Fire Department. We wish him good health,

fulfillment, 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 Chief Christopher DeGrave, Dunn's Corners

Fire Department.

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LC005421

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