Issue No. 256  l   September 4, 2008   l   Providence, Rhode Island

 

24 New Recruits Join the Ranks of the Providence Fire Department
48th Training Academy class reflects the City’s ongoing effort to bring diversity to the Providence Fire Department

 

Mayor David N. Cicilline and Fire Chief George S. Farrell administered the oath of office to 24 of the newest members of the Providence Fire Department at a graduation ceremony at the Rhode Island Convention Center on Wednesday, September 3rd.

“We all know how dangerous the job of a firefighter can be and we take heart in knowing that the 48th Training Academy class is well prepared to meet the challenge,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “I’m proud to say that our recruitment efforts have brought new diversity to the Providence Fire Department as we continue to work to ensure that this department will have no language or cultural barriers when serving residents in an emergency.”

“As a class I encourage you to remember that your education does not and should not end here today,” said Chief Farrell.  “The citizens of Providence, who will be counting on you in their time of need, will expect you to take advantage of every educational opportunity that is afforded to you by the Department.”

Recruits in the 48th Training Academy were selected from a pool of more than 1200 applicants.  In addition to the rigorous course study, the recruits also obtained national certification in several areas, including certification from the National Fire Protection Association as Level I and Level II firefighters and 80 hours of instruction in dealing with hazardous materials.   All members are certified Emergency Medical Technicians.

Under Mayor Cicilline’s direction, the Fire Department continues to partner with the Urban League of Rhode Island, the NAACP, Progresso Latino, Socio-Economic Development Corporation for Southeast Asians (SEDC) and other community groups in recruitment drives to ensure the Fire Department reflects the community it serves.

The 48th Training Academy graduates are Matthew Caffrey, Ryan Foss, Fernando Arig, Raymond McCauley, Andrew Cady, Miles Bonalewicz, Charles Williams, Patrick Brearley, Robert Taylor, James Silva, Patrick Paskoski, Gregory Meers, Christopher Brouchu, Michael Bradford, Alvin Pena, Gregory Pavao, Michael Peck, James Chisholm, Fernando Nino, Stephen Rose, Jared Scolaro, Thomas Kelly, Adam Chuman and Brian Chin.

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Residents Advised to Take Precautions in Advance of Tropical Storm Hanna
Weekend storm predicted to bring gusty winds, heavy rain and possible flooding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Image above links to the National Hurricane Center website.}

 

Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Peter T. Gaynor today advised residents to take precautionary measures in preparation for the arrival of tropical storm Hanna, projected to hit southern New England this weekend.  The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook Warning in anticipation of heavy rainfall, gusty winds up to 70 mph and possible flooding. 

The Department of Public Works has stocked sandbags and crews are checking storm drains to ensure that they are clear of debris. Officials will also closely monitor areas prone to flooding and the storm surge at the hurricane barrier throughout the weekend to determine if any additional steps are necessary.

PEMA is advising residents to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that could become airborne in heavy winds.  Residents are also encouraged to take the following steps:

· Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water and     medications

· In event of power loss, use flashlights; do not use candles

· Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way

· Avoid downed power lines and immediately contact National Grid, (800) 322-3223

· Report fallen branches that impose a danger to the Fire department at 274-3344 

· Monitor local radio or TV broadcasts for up-to-date storm information

In the event of an emergency, call 911.
 

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Mayor Urges Public to Aid Relief Effort for Gustav Victims in Baton Rouge Louisiana
Mayor Holden says Baton Rouge “desperately” needs help, 250,000 without power

Mayor David N. Cicilline is urging area residents to support the relief effort for victims of Hurricane Gustav in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The request is being made in response to a plea from Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin Holden made during a conference call with mayors from the region and the leadership of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM).  According to Mayor Holden, the city was severely hit by Gustav and that aid from FEMA is falling short. Mayor Holden reports that 250,000 are without power and desperately need help.

“This is a trying time for our fellow Americans in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and we need to do what we can to come to their aid,” said Mayor Cicilline. “With so much attention focused on the Gulf Coast, some of the hardest-hit inland communities don’t have the emergency relief they need. The situation is very serious.”

The Mayor is asking area residents to bring the following items to any of the 14 Fire Stations in Providence:

· Food (canned or other non-spoil containers)
· Cots
· Personal hygiene items
· First aid supplies
· Blankets
· Inflatable mattresses
· Washing supplies
· Tarps
· Portable radios
· Hand sanitizers
· Baby Supplies

PEMA will coordinate shipments of supplies to Baton Rouge. For more information, contact PEMA at 228-8000. 

{Photos: Above - Tidal surge produced by hurricane Gustav floods areas of the Rigolets and Shell Beach near the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain in La., Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Below - Airmen from the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 43rd Medical Group, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., build litters in preparation for patient arrival at Lakefront Airport in Louisiana on the evening of August 30. Pope Airmen treated more than 100 patients at the airport on August 30 and 31. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem)}

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Providence Emergency Management Agency Distribute Lifesaving Protection to Area's First Responders
City distributed medical bags & updated Metropolitan Medical Response System plan to area front-line EMS agencies today, September 4th

Mayor David N. Cicilline and Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Peter Gaynor today distributed an updated Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) plan and medical supplies to first responders from nine Rhode Island communities.  The life-saving tools were distributed at a news conference this afternoon held in the Aldermen’s Chamber at Providence City Hall.

The updated plan and 50 front-line medical bags will be distributed to EMS agencies in the following Greater Providence MMRS communities: Providence, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Warwick and West Warwick.

The MMRS medical bags contain pharmaceuticals and general medical supplies, which will enable first responders to protect themselves first, so that they can treat victims of chemical or biological attacks.  The MMRS program was created by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks and the release of hazardous chemicals in the air.  

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Feature: My School

PTO Parent Evelyn Carrillo, “You have to take the initiative to be involved in your children’s education, starting at home” 
 

Evelyn Carrillo was born and raised in Providence.  She attended Gilbert Stuart and graduated from Central High School.  She still remembers as a child attending PTO meetings with her mom, helping to translate for her.  Today, as a mom herself of three children, two of whom attend Providence schools, she’s followed her mother’s footsteps and serves as the PTO president of the Reservoir Avenue School, where her second-grade daughter attends. 

Like many parents today, Carrillo has to contend with so much on her plate – holding down a full time job and raising her kids.  But according to Carrillo, if parents could find a half hour to spare in their day to stop by their kids’ schools and get involved in however they can, it could make a world of difference in their children’s education.  Through her daughter’s eyes, Carrillo sees a sense of pride and confidence that her mom takes the time to support her not only at home but also in school. 

City News caught up with Carrillo to learn more about how she took charge as a parent and rolled up her sleeves for the sake of her kids’ education.

So how did you get involved as a parent?

I got involved through my daughter’s school at Reservoir.  I’ve been involved for 2 years, first as the vice president and then this year as the president.  I went to the principal and I told her that I wanted to know about the PTO group because I’m familiar with the PTO.  As a kid, I used to go to PTO meetings with my mother.  She was very active even though she didn’t know the language.  She still went and had someone to translate for her.  I would help her, too.  That meant a lot to me as a kid and now I’m doing that for my kids.  My 7-year old loves to see me in the school, as well as leading the PTO group.  She says proudly ‘my mom’s in-charge of the PTO!’

 

When I first got involved, I had to learn all the steps on my own.  It’s not always easy as a parent to make your way around the system if you’re not familiar with certain departments, or are unsure how to get help.  No one told me ‘this is how you do this, and this is how you do that.’  It’s more about gathering information from your principal, from the teachers, and then later, I learned about the parent engagement program and met Janet Pichardo at the Department of Family & Community Engagement.  Believe it or not, you get a lot of information from the parent engagement advisory council meetings that they host every month.  That’s how I got to learn more about this process.  I got more involved as a result. 

 

In what ways do you think your participation impacts both your children’s and others’ education and performance in school?

It affects it a lot.  When a parent joins, the kids realize that their parents are in the school, so it makes a big impact on them. 

 

Do you think it drives them to do better in school?

It does.  Both of my kids know that I’m there for them.  That’s very important.  Your children need to know that you’re there for them, that you’re not doing this just for the school, but for them. 

 

Certainly, like many parents today you must be very busy.  How do you find time to do this and what does it involve?

As a PTO leader, it takes a lot of time.  You gotta’ have a lot of patience, and you need a solid group of parents to support you and help you.  And, you need a whole lot of resources.  I get mine through the parent engagement department. 

They help you with everything – problems with teachers, principals, or even if you just have a question like, ‘what can I do as a parent to improve my child’s education?’ That’s something a lot of us forget to ask our teachers and we should ask them.  If you do, you will get answers. 

 

I work 40 hours a week, and I try to put at least an hour everyday towards school activities.  I know it’s hard because we’re all busy, but I always say to parents, if you have a half hour a day, or every other day, go to your child’s school and ask, because there’s always something you can help with. 

 

You can help the secretaries by copying paper.  You can help translate for families that don’t speak English.  You can help out with safety issues by volunteering to monitor the kids, and with this, you get so much appreciation from other parents as well.  They say, ‘thank you for doing this for us because I don’t have the time but you do.’  You see big smiles in the kids’ faces as well when they see their parents more engaged with the school. 

 

Do you think more parents should get involved, and if so, how would you encourage them to do so?

You definitely need to get involved.  I am 100% positive you need to be.  The more you get involved, the more you get to know who your child’s friends are, who they’re hanging out with, the teachers get to know you better, they treat your children better because they know you’re involved with the school, and the teachers will be able to guide you better in your child’s education.  Best of all, you get more resources for you and your child.  He’ll achieve more, be more driven, and be more successful in his studies. 

 

I also believe that you have to go through the kids to get to the parents.  They’re the best at spreading the word and nudging their parents.  I also do raffles and giveaways for those who do come, to give them some incentive to keep coming.

 

In the present and in the future, where do you see the role of parents being within the school system? What hasn’t been done yet that you think needs to be?

I’ve learned a lot and I’m still learning.  I think that teachers need to see parents more.  You should be able to walk through your schools and have the teachers and administrators greet you by your name, ‘Hi, Mr. Smith, or Hi, Ms. Carrillo.” 

 

As parents, it’s our job to plant those seeds that help our children to grow. You have to take the initiative to be involved in your children’s education, starting at home.  From the teachers’ and the school administrators’ point of view, if we as parents are not around to help them, there’s really nothing they can do.  If you’re involved, you get to know more about how the school operates, and so that if an issue does come up regarding your child, you know how to handle it.  It’s not enough to point fingers and blame others.  You have to ask yourself first, ‘have I tried to do the work with my child? Have I taken the steps to get involved with their school?’

 

Follow your child.  Ask your principal if you can shadow them.  Always remember, the school department is always there to help you.  Like I said, the parent engagement department is a huge resource for us.  If you’re a parent who’s afraid because you don’t speak the language, that department is there to guide you.

 

What sorts of activities do you do as a parent group?

We try to find activities that combine the school and the parents.  You have to work together because if you don’t you won’t get anywhere.  The kids do see that.  One of the cool things we do at our school is every month we do at least one activity with the parents.  My goal last year was to put together a calendar that would help parents know what activities are happening throughout the school year.  This way, parents will know ahead of time and can plan and volunteer to help in advance. 

 

Also, our school, together with the Sackett Street School, participates in the Sarah Smiles “Miles for Smiles” Walkathon every year.  Ron Allyn, who’s a member of our PTO, started the Sarah Smiles Foundation in honor of his daughter who passed way and who was a student at Reservoir Avenue.  Every year, this walkathon/race is held at Roger Williams Park and all the proceeds go to provide volunteers, transportation, learning materials, art and recreational programs, and mentoring resources for kids at Reservoir and Sackett.  It has helped bring Boys and Girls Scouts to our schools.  This year, the event is taking place on Sunday, September 20. 
 
What do you hope your children will learn from your involvement?

My hope is that tomorrow, they’ll say, ‘my parents were there for me.  My mom was there helping me with my homework.  My mom was involved with these activities in school.  And that my mom supported me through everything I wanted to do.’  Those are my hopes.
 
If you’re a parent of a Providence student, and are interested in getting involved like Evelyn, contact the School Department’s Office of Family & Community Engagement.  Or stop by and visit them at 379 Washington Street.  You can learn more also on their website.

{Photos 2 and 3 in this article were provided by West Side Arts and Principal Socorro Gomez-Potter taken from the closing ceremony of an afterschool art and homework club program for Reservoir Avenue Elementary students.  The event was at the Firehouse 13 Gallery.}

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