2023 -- H 6267
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LC002755
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CONGRATULATING FIRE CHIEF PAUL SHATRAW ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER
NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF EXEMPLARY AND DEV OTED SERVICE TO THE
CITIZENS OF WOONSOCKET
Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Phillips, J. Brien, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Craven, Messier, Kennedy, and O'Brien
Date Introduced: April 06, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Chief Paul Shatraw began his distinguished firefighting and public service 1
career at the young age of 16, serving as a volunteer with the North Smithfield Fire Department. 2
He joined the Woonsocket Fire Department in 1986, and over the ensuing three decades, he 3
steadily rose through the ranks thanks to his tireless work ethic and strong leadership skills; and 4
WHEREAS, Prior to being named Woonsocket Chief, he served as a Lieutenant of 5
Rescue, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Deputy Chief, and was ultimately named Chief in 2014; 6
and 7
WHEREAS, Chief Shatraw took the helm during trying times for the City of 8
Woonsocket, as it was facing the possibility of bankruptcy. He got to work immediately and 9
brought $4 million into the Department in much-needed grant money, which helped to establish 10
the City’s Emergency Operations Center, a state-of-the-art alarm system for each station, new 11
personal protective equipment for every member of the Department, and new portable radios and 12
self-contained breathing apparatus; and 13
WHEREAS, Another important priority for Chief Shatraw was to enhance public safety 14
in Woonsocket by replacing the Department’s aging equipment. Under his watch and guidance, 15
the Department was able to add four new pumping engines, one ladder, three rescues, a fireboat 16
and other vehicles. Chief Shatraw has also lent his expertise and leadership skills to the City’s 17
response to the pandemic and organizing vaccination clinics; and 18
WHEREAS, Chief Shatraw has always been involved in community and civic affairs. He 19
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served as the President of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Association, as the Assistant EMA 1
Director in Woonsocket, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs 2
Association, and as a Governor’s appointee to the State Fire Training Council; now, therefore be 3
it 4
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 5
congratulates Fire Chief Paul Shatraw on his retirement after nearly four decades of exemplary 6
and devoted service to the citizens of Woonsocket. We furthermore wish him continued success 7
in his new position with CVS managing their emergency response teams; and be it further 8
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 9
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Woonsocket Fire Department Chief Paul 10
Shatraw. 11
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LC002755
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