People, agencies praised
01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, July 14, 2004
These are some of the people and agencies praised in the report for their actions during The Station fire:
Anthony Bettencourt, for quickly reporting the blaze to the Fire Department. Bettencourt, a West Warwick police officer, was working a security detail inside the club when it caught fire. The report says his actions shaved vital seconds off the rescuers' response time.
West Warwick police dispatchers, for, on their own initiative, calling private ambulance companies and requisitioning buses to transport more victims to area hospitals.
James Paolucci, owner of the Cowesett Inn, for opening his restaurant across the street for use as a triage center and offering refreshments. He gave over the entire restaurant for two days after the fire for use by emergency workers, various agencies and families.
The state Department of Corrections for assisting the state Emergency Management Agency in the recovery process, including installing telephone lines and computer networks; manning eight of the victim information hot lines; providing psychiatrists to debrief outgoing hot line volunteers; and delivering meals to persons working at Emergency Management headquarters, among other activities.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, for offering free food and lodging to aid groups and families of fire victims. The hotel became a support center for fire victims and their families for five days after the fire. It served 7,500 meals and provided lodging for hundreds of relatives.
The personnel of the North Providence Fire Department for organizing themselves into teams and assisting Our Lady of Fatima Hospital staff with triage, collection of patient information and general care.
Peter Todd, radiological officer for the state Emergency Management Agency, for leading the effort to transform a vacant car dealership on Route 2 into a fully furnished office complex where government and private organizations provided advice and assistance to victims' families -- in less than 36 hours. The total cost to the government was estimated at less than $5,000.
Phil Cascalenda Jr., who owned the vacant car dealership that served as the family resource center. He and his family gave the town free use of the building and spent nearly $30,000 preparing the building for use.
Tom Senerchia, emergency management director of West Warwick, worked with Todd Manni and other emergency personnel from Smithfield to establish the initial victims information hot line.
Warwick Fire Capt. Peter Ginaitt and Cranston Fire Capt. Leo Kennedy, for their seasoned leadership that led to the development of a successful triage center and treatment activities.
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