BURRILLVILLE – EMS Coordinator Capt. Thomas Smith and EMS Training Officer Lt. Lori Poirier of the Pascoag Fire District were honored at the Burrillville Police Department’s annual Department and Community Awards Ceremony held recently at the Burrillville Middle School auditorium.
The event, which took place Wednesday, Nov 17, included recognition for outstanding service of both police officers, those who serve in outside town agencies such as local fire districts, and members of the community.
Smith and Poirier were the only firefighters to receive such commendations, and were present plaques by Burrillville Police Chief Col. Stephen Lynch which read, “for countless hours of hard work and dedication in providing COVID-19 safety training, guidance, and for the first responders of Burrillville during the coronavirus crisis of 2020.”
“You provided an invaluable resource and sense of comfort to the Burrillville Police Department and all the local fire department personnel during a difficult and stressful time,” the plaque read.
Pascoag Fire Chief Mark St. Pierre added that Smith and Poirier were responsible for conducting countless COVID tests, and delivered the tests to laboratories for analysis for first responders in both Burrillville and Glocester throughout the 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
Poirier also works as a lieutenant, paramedic and fire marshal for the Oakland Mapleville Fire Department, where she has served since 2007. In addition to his duties in Pascoag, Smith works in community outreach for the Rhode Island Department of Health. He was named EMS Coordinator of the Year for the state of Rhode Island in 2018.
“Both officers are to be commended for their efforts,” St. Pierre said.
