EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The City has added 12 new firefighters to the East Providence Fire Department thanks to $3.75 million in federal funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
Following the completion of their 12-week, entry-level training program at the Rhode Island Fire Academy (concluding November 15, 2024), the probationary firefighters are now certified in Firefighter I and II, Fire Apparatus operation, and aerial operation. The probationary firefighters then had an additional nine-week training period through the Municipal Academy.
“We are immensely grateful for the work our firefighters do each and every day to serve our communities and keep us safe. Full staffing at our fire stations is critical to ensuring that firefighters can quickly, safely, and effectively respond to emergencies and protect our communities,” U.S. Senator Jack Reed said. “I’m proud to welcome these 12 new firefighters to the ranks here in East Providence, and I will continue to support the SAFER program and other sources of funding that provide critical support to first responders across our state.”
“As we celebrate the 36th graduating class of the East Providence Firefighter Training Academy, I am grateful for the 12 new firefighters who have answered the call to keep our community safe,” Congressman Gabe Amo said. “I’m proud to join my delegation colleagues in showing our
appreciation by securing federal funding through the SAFER grant program to support fire departments throughout the Ocean State.”
"This past week at my State of the State Address, I talked about passionate Rhode Islanders who love their state and want to give back. The 12 firefighters here today certainly fit that definition, and we are all proud of their commitment to serve and to protect their families, friends, neighbors, and community here in East Providence," Governor Dan McKee said.
The graduating class of the East Providence Fire Department's 36th Training Academy is now prepared to provide advanced fire services to the residents of East Providence.
“The residents of East Providence are fortunate that through the SAFER grant, we now will have 12 highly trained individuals ready to respond at a moment’s notice to medical and other emergencies to keep our residents safe,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “I am very grateful to Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Congressman Amo, and Chief Carey for making this funding available.
“Chief Carey’s diligent work on the grant application ensured we had the funding to hire these new firefighters,” DaSilva added.
“I extend my sincerest congratulations to these individuals upon reaching this significant milestone,” Chief Michael Carey said. “Their training and subsequent appointments to crucial first-responder positions have adequately prepared them for the challenges inherent in firefighting and emergency response, enabling them to best serve the residents of East Providence.”
The following were sworn in and officially joined the East Providence Fire Department on January 18, 2025:
· Domenic Amitrano
· Kurtis Anderson
· Danielle Clarke
· Nathan Correia
· Alexandre Ferreira
· Michael Glidden
· John Haxton III
· Brian Monteiro
· Kevin Rancourt
· Matthew Ricci
· Tanis Tavernier
· Neil Teirney
