Woonsocket Fire Department

The Woonsocket Fire Department has served the City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island since 1836 with pride, professionalism, and heart. 

Woonsocket has a Class II I.S.O. rating (which is the highest in the state).

                         CITY OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

                                          DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

                                                                  FIRE DIVISION

           Chief                                                                                      EMERGENCY

           Gary L. Lataille                                                                                   911

                                                     Business: 401-765-2500

            On behalf of the Woonsocket Fire Department, I would like to thank everyone that has called or sent an e-mail offering suggestions or support for maintaining Place Jolicoeur, an historic war memorial, that was dedicated on 13 November 1921 as well as the content of the Department's website which contains a poem entitled the Fireman's prayer and an image of an Angel which was taken from an ice sculpture in Ontario, Canada as tribute to the 911 tragedy.  The monument is dedicated to Woonsocket resident William Jolicoeur who sacrificed his life in World War I.  Participating in the dedication was Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, the Supreme Allied Commander of all Allied Forces in World War I. 

            The monument was originally sited in the middle of Cumberland Hill Road.  Years later, after the Hamlet Avenue Bridge was re-constructed and the bridge and accompanying roads were re-configured, Place Jolicoeur, without physically being moved, was now within the confines of the parking area for Woonsocket’s Fire Station #2. 

            On 30 May 1952, the monument was re-dedicated in honor of the Gagne brothers, Alexandre, Henri and Louis, who were Woonsocket residents that perished in World War II.  This historic war memorial has remained unchanged since.  I would like to acknowledge Mr. Raymond Bacon for his historical expertise.

As the Fire Chief, and under the Mayor's direction, i do not intend to take any action to remove the historic memorial nor change the website.  We have been advised by legal counsel that all are in conformance with the Constitution.

If you would like to assist the City and the department to defend it's position, the City Council has passed a legislative resolution to establish a fund for the "War Memorial Defense and Preservation".  To make a donation please click on the button below.                              

War Memorial Defense
and Preservation Fund

Thank you to everyone who has offered to contribute to the City's War Memorial Defense and Preservation Fund.

Donations may be addressed to:
The City of Woonsocket War Memorial Defense and Preservation Fund
PO Box B
Woonsocket, RI 02895

The flag of Retired Lt. James Patrick Murray is being flown at Station 1 in his honor.

Woonsocket Fire Department would very much appreciate donations of United States flags to be flown in honor of your loved one at our 4 fire stations. Anyone wishing to donate a flag please contact  Karen at 765-2500 ext. 6660.

Section 28.1.  Open Fires, Bonfires and Outdoor Rubbish Fires

No open fire of any type shall be permitted at anytime in the City of Woonsocket.  This includes domestic yard trash fires and leaf burning.  Open fire is defined as any fire within which the products of combustion are emitted into the open air and are not directed through a stack or chimney.  Barbecue pits shall be used only for the cooking of food and not as an incinerator.  Charcoals, or similar type cooking fuel, shall be the only fuel permitted in barbecue pits.

Exception:

Burning in containers that have screens and/or chimneys that serve as spark arrestors, with a diameter of no less than thirty-six (36") inches.  Only clean, dry, cord-type firewood or charcoal is an accepted fuel (no yard waste or construction debris).  The fire must be attended at all times by a person who has an available water supply or extinguisher and who is capable of controlling and/or extinguishing the fire, if necessary.

Any Fire Officer may extinguish a fire if, in his opinion:

1) It is not in the proper container or if the container is being used inappropriately.

2) It is too close to combustibles (closer than fifteen (15') feet.

3) Improper material is being burnt.

Penalty for violation.  Any person found in violation of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense.  The penalty for the second offense within one calendar year shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00), and the penalty for the third and/or each subsequent offense within one calendar year shall be a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each subsequent offense.

The police have powers to issue citations for violations of this ordinance.

The Chief of the Fire Department or the on-duty Deputy Fire Chief can order any fire to be extinguished at his discretion.

(Ch. No. 7416, Sec. 1, 9-02-08)