2023 -- H 6267

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LC002755

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING FIRE CHIEF PAUL SHATRAW ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER

NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF EXEMPLARY AND DEVOTED SERVICE TO THE

CITIZENS OF WOONSOCKET

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Phillips, J. Brien, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Craven, Messier, Kennedy, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: April 06, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Chief Paul Shatraw began his distinguished firefighting and public service

career at the young age of 16, serving as a volunteer with the North Smithfield Fire Department.

He joined the Woonsocket Fire Department in 1986, and over the ensuing three decades, he

steadily rose through the ranks thanks to his tireless work ethic and strong leadership skills; and

     WHEREAS, Prior to being named Woonsocket Chief, he served as a Lieutenant of

Rescue, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Deputy Chief, and was ultimately named Chief in 2014;

and

     WHEREAS, Chief Shatraw took the helm during trying times for the City of

Woonsocket, as it was facing the possibility of bankruptcy. He got to work immediately and

brought $4 million into the Department in much-needed grant money, which helped to establish

the City’s Emergency Operations Center, a state-of-the-art alarm system for each station, new

personal protective equipment for every member of the Department, and new portable radios and

self-contained breathing apparatus; and

     WHEREAS, Another important priority for Chief Shatraw was to enhance public safety

in Woonsocket by replacing the Department’s aging equipment. Under his watch and guidance,

the Department was able to add four new pumping engines, one ladder, three rescues, a fireboat

and other vehicles. Chief Shatraw has also lent his expertise and leadership skills to the City’s

response to the pandemic and organizing vaccination clinics; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Shatraw has always been involved in community and civic affairs. He

served as the President of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Association, as the Assistant EMA

Director in Woonsocket, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs

Association, and as a Governor’s appointee to the State Fire Training Council; now, therefore be

it

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

congratulates Fire Chief Paul Shatraw on his retirement after nearly four decades of exemplary

and devoted service to the citizens of Woonsocket. We furthermore wish him continued success

in his new position with CVS managing their emergency response teams; 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 Woonsocket Fire Department Chief Paul

Shatraw.

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LC002755

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