BURRILLVILLE – Harrisville Hose Company No.1 celebrated its 112th anniversary last month, with an event that included service awards for its members and installation of company officers for the coming year.
Founded in 1912, Harrisville Hose Company No.1 is a volunteer organization providing fire and emergency medical services response to the Harrisville Fire District, as well as the town of Burrillville and surrounding communities on a mutual aid basis.
In a celebration at Bella Restaurant on Saturday, April 6, members gathered to hear opening remarks by Harrisville Fire District Chief Marcel Fontenault, and Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 President Jason Rhodes. Fontenault recognized Chief Engineer Emeritus Douglas Rhodes for his 52 years of service, dedication and excellence as a volunteer firefighter and mentor, as well as his expert assistance with special department projects and apparatus maintenance.
Deacon Richard Lapierre, chaplain of the Northern Rhode Island Firefighter’s League and past deputy chief of the Oakland-Mapleville Fire Department, provided a blessing and Rhodes served as the master of ceremonies, with music provided by Gue Productions.
Special guests in attendance included retired Harrisville Hose Company life members Past President Lt. Gerald Fournier, and Lt. Dennis Menard; Barbara Menard, wife of long-time Deputy Chief Norman Menard; Lyane Gingell, wife of past Chief Edward Gingell; Harrisville Fire District Operating Committee Chairman Brayton Round, Operating Committee member Jason Nichols and District Office Manager Christine Lemieux; Harrisville Fire Department medical director Matthew Sarasin; and East Burrillville Fire District Chief Joseph Bertholic, Capt. Richard Jalette, engineer Robert Casale, FF/EMT Sherri Ferri, Kathleen Jalette and Jacqueline Casale.
The five year service award was presented to FF/EMT Randy Parrott, FF/EMT Aliza Richard, FF/EMT Jenna Deschamps and FF/EMT Chandler Harkins. Safety Officer Amanda Gingell was recognized for 20 years of service.
EMS service recognition awards for RI licensed EMTs were presented to retired Chief Michael Gingell, who served 45 years; retired Capt. Timothy Gingell, who served 35; Randy Parrott, 35; Lt. Michael Dutilly, 20; and Jenna Deschamps, 5.
Firefighter certifications recognitions included the NFPA 1001 Level II for Chandler Harkins; and the NFPA 1001 Level I for Madison McCutcheon and Mark Davey.
Four officers were elected to one year terms, with Jason Rhodes to serve as president; Nicholas Brooks as vice president; William Guertin as secretary and Michael Dutilly as treasurer.
Rhodes noted that the company also currently has six junior volunteer firefighters graduating from their respective high schools in June.
Graduating from Burrillville High School are:
- Kelsey McCutcheon, daughter of HFD Life Member Brian McCutcheon; granddaughter of Life Member Donald McCutcheon; and sister of EMT/FF Madison McCutcheon
- Kaitlyn Mainville, daughter of Capt. Norman Mainville; granddaughter of HFD and Nasonville FD Life Member Norman “Chuck” Mainville; and great granddaughter of Nasonville FD Life Member Norman “Trigger” Mainville
- Devin Richard, grandson of HFD retired Chief Michael Gingell; great grandson of HFD FF Lawrence Gingell, Sr., who died in the line of duty; great, great grandson of Harrisville Hose Company President George “Puppy” Gingell; nephew of HFD Safety Officer Amanda Gingell; brother of EMT/FF Aliza Richard; grandson of Cumberland EMS Captain and Acting Deputy Chief James Richard; and granddaughter of retired HFD Office Manager Brenda Gingell
- Anthony Copolla, EMT student at BHS
Junior firefighters graduating from Ponaganset High School include:
- Caroline Rhodes, daughter of Chief of Emergency Medical Services at the Rhode Island Department of Health, Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 President and former HFD Capt. Jason Rhodes; daughter of former Chepachet FD EMS Lt. Melissa Sansouci; granddaughter of HFD Chief Engineer Emeritus Douglas Rhodes; great granddaughter of HFD Chief Engineer Walter “Red” Rhodes; great granddaughter of Glendale FD charter member Arthur Young; great, great granddaughter of Oakland-Mapleville FD honorary member Lewis Rhodes; and great, great granddaughter of HFD Operating Committee member John Wetherbee
- Brooke Boisvert, niece of past HFD member Todd Boisvert and EMT student at PHS
“These outstanding junior firefighter members of the Harrisville Fire Department have achieved National and RI Honor Society status and accolades as RI Interscholastic League athletes,” said Rhodes. “They remain exemplary and valuable members of the Harrisville Fire Department and our community.”
