BURRILLVILLE – Harrisville Hose Company No.1 celebrated its 114th anniversary on Saturday, April 11 with a banquet at Bella Restaurant that included presentation of service awards and installation of company officers for the coming year.
Founded in 1912, the volunteer members of Harrisville Hose Company No.1 provide fire and emergency medical services response to the Harrisville Fire District, as well as the town of Burrillville and surrounding communities on a mutual aid basis, with the motto “Loyal to Our Duty.”
At the banquet, opening remarks were given by Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 President Jason Rhodes and Banquet Committee Chairman Michael Gingell. An invocation and blessing were provided by Deacon Richard Lapierre, past deputy chief of the Oakland-Mapleville Fire Department. Rhodes served as the master of ceremonies and entertainment was provided by Tech Guys DJ.
The program and awards were as follows:
Service Awards
- Lt. Emeritus Charles Comtois: 55 years of service
- Retired Capt. Timothy Gingell: 40 years of service
- Firefighter Scott Lee: 40 years of service
Community Honor Roll
- Retired Chief Augustine Eddy of the Nasonville Fire Department and member of Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 was posthumously added to the Community Honor Roll for his contributions to the fire service in the town of Burrillville. His mother Muriel Deshaies; his sister Brenda Keeble, her husband Kristopher Keeble and their daughter Liliana; and his cousin Tammy Chevrette were in attendance for the announcement.
- James Ponte, owner of Serio’s Pizzarama, was placed the Harrisville Hose Company Community Honor Roll for his long-time outstanding support to the department during emergency situations, and after they concluded, always pleased and proud to support our volunteers that provided service to our community in its time of need. The Hose Company was equally pleased to see the tremendous support of Jim’s family and friends as he accepted this honor.
Both of their names will reside on the Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 Community Honor Roll plaque at the station.
Special guests in attendance:
- Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 life members: Retired Lt. Gerald Fournier, Jr.
- Harrisville Fire District: Chief Marcel Fontenault, Operating Committee Chair Brayton Round, Operating Committee members Roger Johnson and David Houle, District Tax Collector Jacqueline Bernier
- Rhode Island Rep. David Place, House District 47
- Acting Chief Megan Umbriano, RI Department of Health, Center for Emergency Medical Services
- Bethany Lambert, Harrisville Hose Company No.1 Community Honor Roll artist extraordinaire
EMS service recognition awards as RI licensed EMTs
- Capt. Norman D. Mainville, 35 years
- Capt. Nicholas Brooks, 20 years
- Lt. Steven Belanger, 10 years
- Firefighter/EMT Jason Nichols, 5 years
Firefighter certifications
- Firefighter/EMT Madison McCutcheon, NFPA 1001 Level I & II
- Firefighter/EMT Mark Davey, NFPA 1001 Level I & II
- Firefighter/EMT Brooke Boisvert, NFPA 1001 Level I & II
Installation of 2026 Elected Hose Company Officers
- President: Jason Rhodes
- Vice President: Mark Davey
- Secretary: William Guertin
- Treasurer: Michael Dutilly.
Harrisville Hose Company No.1 is continually recruiting volunteers willing to serve the community as firefighters and EMTs. Junior volunteers ages 15-18 are also welcome to join the team
