Woonsocket Fire Department Awarded Training Grant from R.I. Trust

WOONSOCKET, RI — The Woonsocket Fire Department will receive a scholarship grant from the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust. The $2,000 grant will cover the cost for several department personnel to attend advanced emergency vehicle driver training this spring.

"I am very thankful to The Trust for awarding the Woonsocket Fire Department this scholarship,” said Chief Paul Shatraw. “It allows us to partner with them to provide our training directors and company officers an intensive 'train the trainer' program so that they will be able to return to the department and put every department member through both the classroom and practical applications of the emergency vehicle driver training program. The operation of emergency vehicles is a huge responsibility and to be able to give every member additional tools to perform their jobs both safely and efficiently is extremely beneficial to not only themselves but to the community that we serve."

The crews will be going to the “Vehicle Driver Train the Trainer Instructor Level Course,” during early May in North Smithfield.

Here is the description from the press release.

"The intensive, hands-on training program will qualify training directors and officers within the department to instruct fellow members of the department in emergency vehicle operation.

“The Trust continues to be a great partner for this state’s municipalities,” said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. “This strategic investment in the Woonsocket Fire Department ultimately improves the quality of our public safety services in the community. When a resident is in need of our firefighters and rescue personnel, they should feel confident the men and women responding will have the best training and tools at their disposal.”

"The Trust, which is celebrating its 30th year of providing superior insurance and risk management solutions to Rhode Island’s public sector entities, awards a total of five Scholarships each year, valued at a maximum of $2,000 each. The Scholarships provide financial assistance to Trust Member employees who are interested in attending national or regional risk management seminars, safety workshops, and other related training programs that will help to broaden their understanding of governmental risk management.

"The Trust is a strong proponent of the importance of training and believes that properly trained employees not only bring greater value to their local governmental entity, but are better positioned to manage, and ultimately reduce, organizational risk,” said Colleen Bodziony, Director of Operations and Member Services at The Trust.

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