McMichael Plans New WFD Apparatus, Grant Funding

WARWICK — Mayor Joseph Solomon announced Warwick’s interim Fire Chief, Peter McMichael, officially assumed the position on Sunday, March 17, focused on apparatus replacement and upgrades that will stretch the department’s resources.

“To accomplish this goal in a fiscally conservative manner we must think outside the box,” McMichael said. “Warwick firefighters have dedicated a lot of time, including their own off duty time to grant writing, and have been very successful at it.  I plan on expanding upon this money saving process and working with our Firefighters to find fiscally prudent solutions.”

Solomon noted McMichael has been working for the past month with outgoing Chief Marcel Fontenault to transition to the job.

“In my short time here, I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication of the members of the Warwick Fire Department and their pride and passion they exhibit for their department,” McMichael said. “I want to wish Chief Fontenault a healthy and happy retirement and much success in his future endeavors as he enjoys his much deserved retirement from the Warwick Fire Department.”

 Solomon said McMichael will begin reforms in the bureau of fire prevention to make sure plan review is completed in timely fashion – within 10 days as opposed to the months-long wait that many developers and residents have complained about.

“Chief McMichael understands how important these reforms are for our community and those who wish to do business here,” Solomon said. “He’s the right man for the job to ensure that this happens.”

According to Solomon’s office, McMichael earned his Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science from Providence College and holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in public administration from Roger Williams University. He attended the National Fire Academy in Maryland for executive development and command and control decision making at multi-alarm incidents programs. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, earning an Executive Education Certificate in strategic management of regulatory and enforcement agencies.

McMichael joined the Providence Fire Department in 1989, rising to the rank of fire lieutenant in 2006, a position he held until 2014, when he was promoted to captain of the fire prevention bureau/arson squad. Since 2015, he was the department’s fire marshal, acting as the commanding officer of all operations of the Providence Fire Prevention Bureau until coming to Warwick. For 14 years, McMichael also served as the fire safety coordinator at Bryant University. He holds 17 certifications in professional development in a wide variety of areas, including emergency response to terrorism, hazards materials incidents and Amtrak-emergency response procedures.