TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI  02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Special Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

April 7, 2026

5:45 P.M.

 

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AGENDA WITH ATTACHMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT:  https://clerkshq.com/westwarwick-ri

 

M I N U T E S

 

*Please Note: Any matter listed on this agenda may be acted upon by the Town Council*

 

A.         Meeting called to order by the Town Council President at 6:02 P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Councilman Mark Dennison - Present

Councilman Jason Licciardi - Present

Councilman Jason Messier - Absent

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

Council President David Gosselin - Present

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        Recognition of Local EMS Personnel for Outstanding Service to the Community

 

Deputy Chief Norberg reads the following:

 

Good evening everyone,

 

On behalf of the West Warwick Fire Department, and in partnership with Dr. Williams, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Center for EMS and Chief John Potvin, Chairman of the Rhode Island Ambulance Service Advisory Board, it is my honor to welcome you to this special occasion. Tonight, we gather to recognize an exceptional group of professionals whose commitment to excellence in Emergency Medical Care truly makes a difference in the lives of the people they serve every day.

 

I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Town Manager and the Town Council for hosting this ceremony and for their continued support of Emergency Services. Your partnership helps make events like this possible and highlights the importance of recognizing excellence in public service.

 

Tonight we will highlight two separate Cardiac Arrest events with successful outcomes that occurred, ironically, nine hours apart.

 

On December 10, 2025, at 9:15 in the morning when West Warwick Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to the area of 1193 Main St for a person down, unresponsive, on the sidewalk. West Warwick Police Officer Alex Austin arrived within seconds to find a male patient not breathing and pulseless. Patrolman Austin immediately initiated CPR until the arrival of the West Warwick Fire Department. Lifesaving resuscitation measures were continued by the fire department members while awaiting the arrival of an out-of-town rescue from the Central Coventry Fire District. Several fire companies, as well as The Community Paramedicine technician, assisted at the scene. Through the collective efforts of several agencies, working in coordination, the patient was transported to the hospital with the restoration of a strong pulse and effective blood circulation following this cardiac arrest event.

 

The recognition for Emergency Medical Care Excellence is presented to the following

West Warwick Fire Department

 

Lt. Marsland, Pvt. Pecchia, Lt. Hines, Pvt. Xavier, Lt. Centracchio, Pvt. Melucci, Pvt. Rainville

 

Central Coventry Fire District

Lt. Dougan, Pvt. Perrin

 

West Warwick Police

Patrolman Austin

 

The second event occurred on December 9^th at 11:59 pm where the West Warwick Fire Department was dispatched to 715 Main St for a male unresponsive. Upon arrival of the fire department the male patient was responsive and talking. The rescue personnel performed a patient assessment and were gathering details of the prior event when the patient suddenly became unresponsive and was in cardiac arrest. CPR was immediately initiated and electronic defibrillation was delivered several times successfully restoring a pulse, although the patient’s heart rhythm remained very unstable. Intravenous medication was given as well as electronic synchronized cardioversion which successfully stabilized the patient’s heart rhythm. The patient was transported to the hospital where he was fully conscious and alert while talking to hospital staff.

 

The recognition for Emergency Medical Care Excellence is presented to the following

 

West Warwick Fire Department

 

Capt. Moreau, Pvt. Izzi, Lt. Hart, Pvt. Boisclair, Pvt. Heon, Pvt. Guilmette

 

I would like to invite a very special guest to come up. Russ Bullock, the patient in this incident, will present the awards to his rescuers.

 

In closing I would like to again congratulate the recipients. Your dedication, skill, and compassion represent the very best of emergency medical services. The work you do often happens in the most challenging moments, yet you consistently rise to meet those challenges with professionalism and dedication. This recognition is a reflection not only of your clinical excellence, but also of your unwavering commitment to your communities.

 

E.         Adjournment 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk