BURRILLVILLE – Acknowledging members who have recently achieved a higher rank, as well as the man who recently took on a full time role leading the department, the Pascoag Fire District held a swearing ceremony Monday evening with a crowd of around 75 visitors in attendance at Station #2 on Howard Avenue.
The department was long due to recognize a group of dedicated professional who serve the village according to District Manager Bradford Provencal.
“To my knowledge, the district has not conducted a Swearing-In or Promotion Ceremony for quite some time,” he said.
Provencal said the ceremony this week provided “an opportunity to revive the tradition of formally recognizing outstanding personnel as they are selected for or promoted into key leadership positions.”
Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman James Richard gave opening and closing remarks and officiated the ceremony, swearing in Chief Michael Dexter, who just recently assumed the role full time.
The chief then addressed the audience, advising young firefighters: “Train. That’s the most important thing you can do, physically and mentally.”
He also spoke personally.
“I wish my parents were here,” Dexter said. “Family is the most important thing in this job. A fire family is a family of hope. This job is not just about us; it’s about them,” he said, acknowledging his wife.
Dexter officiated swearing in the recently promoted among the ranks: Capt. Lori Poirier, Capt. Thomas Lindgren, Lt. Hayley Morin and Lt. Dennis Foster.
Poirier has worked for the district since 2014, serving as a firefighter/paramedic as well as fire marshal. She has also served for the neighboring Oakland Mapleville Fire District, now known as the East Burrillville Department. Morin started as a volunteer with the district in 2014, graduating from Anna Maria College in 2020. She is certified in Firefighter 1 and 2 through the Rhode Island Academy.
Among those in attendance was House Minority Whip Rep. David Place of District 47 Burrillville and Glocester, who said he was “happy to be here, to support the department and the new chief.” Place noted that as a state rep, he is “representing the entire community” and was glad to show his support.
Swearing in a full-time chief is “an important day for the department,” said Dennis Anderson, treasurer of the Pascoag Fire District, as well as a member of the Burrillville Town Council.
Dexter. joined the department as part time chief in 2023, coming to Pascoag from Smithfield, where he served as deputy chief. The district board recently decided to increase the role to full time with Dexter, a Smithfield resident, at the helm.
“We have a full-time fire department and need a full-time chief to oversee that,” said Richard. What’s more, “we’re lucky to have volunteers.” He noted there aren’t as many people stepping up to volunteer as in the past.
Like Richard, Pascoag Fire District Commissioner Carmella White offered “a great big thank you” to volunteers, staff, personnel, everyone involved–including the new full time chief.
