EP Firefighters First in Nation to get Non-PFAS Turnout Gear
The City announced last month that The East Providence Fire Department has become the first in the United States to purchase and use non-PFAS turnout gear department-wide, an industry milestone achieved through a collaborative partnership with protective gear manufacturer Fire-Dex and textile innovator Milliken & Company.
The gear was purchased as part of a $658,000 investment by the City of East Providence. The delivery of 170 sets of turnout gear will provide all 125 full-time firefighters with a new set of turnout gear. “This is about progress, partnership, and making deliberate decisions that reflect our department’s values,” said East Providence Fire Chief Michael Carey. “We’re proud to work with U.S. suppliers who share our vision and respond with innovation and accountability.”
The decision comes amid growing momentum around PFAS alternatives in firefighting gear across the country, including H.B. 5019, a Rhode Island bill introduced earlier this year that would prohibit the use of intentionally added PFAS in firefighter turnout gear sold or used in the state beginning in 2027.
“Fire-Dex and Milliken listened closely to what we wanted and worked with us every step of the way,” said East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva. “This gear delivery represents more than new uniforms, it represents a commitment to keep our firefighters protected when they put their lives in danger to keep our communities safe.”
The transition marks the culmination of a co-led effort that began in early 2024. The result is a complete turnout gear solution that does not rely on fluorinated chemistry across any of its three protective layers: outer shell, thermal liner, and moisture barrier. The gear went through rigorous performance and safety testing and is UL certified and meets the NFPA 1971-2018 standard.
“Once again, East Providence has taken advantage of grants and other funds to provide our first responders with necessary safety equipment. Thanks to Chief Michael Carey for his leadership and sponsorship in this important effort,” said City Council President Bob Rodericks.
School Bus Camera Controversy
“They want a new law requiring every bus in the state to have enforcement cameras and they still want to keep 75% of ticket revenue,” said a social media post by East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva. The General Assembly has approved legislation introduced by Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian and Rep. Thomas E. Noret, both retired police officers, that would require all new school buses to be equipped with digital video systems that monitor school bus violations, such as vehicles passing the bus when red lights are flashing. The bill (2025-S 0568A, 2025-H 5421Aaa) would require the video monitoring systems on all new buses beginning July 1, 2027 and offer a grace period to have the video monitoring systems installed on all used buses by July 1, 2032. The bill has been approved in an amended form which balances the revenue from violations.
“This is a critical public safety measure to keep the most precious cargo, our children and students, safe,” said Senator Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Lincoln, North Providence), a retired Rhode Island State Police major and former North Providence Police chief. “This legislation provides a reasonable timeline for cities and towns to procure a necessary enforcement mechanism that will keep our children safe as they’re riding to and from school, particularly when they are boarding or exiting school buses.”
Currently, state law does not require school bus video monitoring systems, and furthermore, violations for illegally passing a school bus can only be enforced if a police officer is physically present at the time of the offense. This legislation will deploy the use of technology to capture the moving violation on video and provide municipalities with a mechanism to impose the requisite fine, accordingly.
The revenue generated from each fine imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be allocated as follows:
However, Renee Ignacio, a city resident and employee of the local school bus company disagrees with the Mayor and has been tussling with various school and state officials in this matter. Ignacio has addressed the School Committee on many occasions and spoke before the City Council at its June 24th meeting. She doesn’t want the city to wait for the new law to take effect. “The best choice for East Providence is to implement the new camera Company program under the 75/12/12 model. This maximizes steady municipal revenue (12%) with no upfront costs or risks,” she maintained. As of June 2025, East Providence has only 8 of the city’s 38 large buses with cameras. “The rest of the buses lack any external safety equipment to monitor motor vehicles failing to stop for school bus stop laws,” Ignacio added.
Originally, bus vendors wanted 75% of revenue generated by violations. “They want a new law requiring every bus in the state to have enforcement cameras and they still want to keep 75% of ticket revenue. When I was a state legislator, I thought the revenue sharing split was wrong then and I voted against the bill because of that unfairness,” said DaSilva in his statement. "Our Police department is saddled with the oversight, management and prosecution of this program and the residents and city would have received a mere 12.5%. A new bill makes the split more reasonable. Currently the city only has 8 cameras deployed on school buses. I am in support of deploying cameras to every bus,” continued DaSilva.
“The taxpayers of East Providence and all municipalities should at least get an equal share of the revenue if not more than the greedy out of state vendors. The vendors have hired a lobbyist to protect their cash cow. They say they can’t provide the equipment for only 30%. I will continue to advocate for our student’s safety while also looking out for our city’s financial best interest,” railed DaSilva.
City Council President Bob Rodericks and other council members told Ignacio that the matter was a school department and state issue more than the council. Ignacio acknowledged these facts but said she wanted to speak out at “this public forum.”
“I appreciate that and your passion, but you know the state legislature has passed the bill and is just waiting for the Governor to approve the bill. It’s not in our hands,” Rodericks added.
“While waiting for the new bill to pass might lead to greater long-term revenue, it comes at the cost of up front investment, staff time and student safety delays,” said Ignacio.
Mayor’s Office, Councilman Clash at Meeting
Ward Four Councilman Rick Lawson and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Patricia Resende exchanged barbs at the June 24th City Council meeting over the proposed plan for the closed Oldham school in Riverside. Although a brief exchange, both differed on a previous meeting held with Mayor Bob DaSilva, Lawson and Resende. At that meeting, the Mayor described plans for the property to include business incubator space, recreational programs in the gym along with “some” housing on the site. No housing specifics were offered. Lawson was willing to listen to a plan. However, since that meeting the Mayor has indicated part of his plan may include up to 98 apartments of some kind.
“This is another lie, we (council) were lied to by the administration,” said a riled-up Lawson. “No mention was ever made of 98 housing units. During two community meetings of Riverside residents, there was total disagreement to putting that many housing units at the old Oldham site.”
For her part, Resende answered that she resented “being called a liar once again. You were at our earlier meeting and we told you of the housing piece.”
“Yes, but there was no mention of any number or specifics,” retorted Lawson. “That’s right but you were not lied too,” said Resende.
Council President Rodericks agreed with Lawson that residents at two recent public workshops were “fairly unanimous in objecting to any housing units at that particular site.”
City Council lists objections to burying utility line costs
Council President Bob Rodericks brought up the subject of the soon to begin project of placing utility cables underground between India Point Park in Providence and Bold Point Park in East Providence. Most of the construction work is paid for from a 2004 settlement with the former National Grid. “For whatever reasons, the project was never done and there no longer is enough money left to start the job. The current plan enacted by the state legislature will pay the balance by adding a fee to the monthly bill of ratepayers,” said Rodericks. It is estimated that East Providence RI Energy customers will have to pay an additional $35 over a three-year period. “It may not be a lot of money, but I just don’t trust utility companies and their rates these days. I think that RI Energy should bear the additional cost not ratepayers. These companies have strong profits.” The rest of the City Council agreed that it is unfortunate to have the ratepayers cover the balance of this project.
Second Round of Washington Bridge Business Grants
The City of East Providence is launching a second round of grant funding for those businesses that did not have the opportunity to apply the first time around. “We have learned from our first experience that many businesses although they may qualify, did not have the opportunity to apply. We also learned from the first round that there were a lot of fraudulent applications and bad actors who were trying to manipulate the system,” said a notice issued last month by Mayor Bob DaSilva.
The city is launching a simple form that will ask a few questions to gauge interest. Based on that information businesses will be contacted by either the City’s Planning Department or Skills for Rhode Island’s Future to set up an in-person meeting requesting the necessary documentation needed to qualify for the grant.
On December 23, 2024, East Providence distributed over $713,000 to 92 businesses, making whole, 40 businesses impacted by the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge. The 1st round of funding left the city with $486,526 for a second round of distribution for the area's small business community.
Additionally, Rhode Island Commerce has awarded East Providence $33,000 in funding, bringing the total to $519,526 of financial relief available for small businesses. East Providence businesses interested in filling out the ‘interest form’, they can do so by visiting: www.eastprovidenceri.gov/WashingtonBridgeSmallBusinessGrants. There, applicants will find any information they may need in order to apply.
EP Deputy Chief Michael Rapoza Graduates from FBI National Academy
The East Providence Police Department announces that Deputy Chief Michael Rapoza has graduated as a member of the 294th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on June 5th, 2025. Nationally, fewer than one percent of law enforcement officers have the opportunity to attend the National Academy program. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on June 5th, 2025. Nationally, fewer than one percent of law enforcement officers have the opportunity to attend the National Academy program.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks (about 2 and a half months) of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
The 294th session consisted of two hundred and thirty-nine law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 294th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 14 countries, six military organizations, and four federal civilian organizations.
By graduating from the National Academy, Deputy Chief Rapoza joins an international fraternity of law enforcement officers who have demonstrated the exceptional leadership, knowledge and skills required to lead local law enforcement agencies into the future. Deputy Chief Rapoza is the first East Providence police officer in over twenty years to complete this prestigious program. Rapoza joins retired East Providence Police Captain David Allsworth Sr (Session 149), Captain William Sloyer (Session 153), and Lieutenant Stephen Enos (Session 196) as EPPD National Academy graduates.
National League of Cities Grant to Promote EP Economic Mobility Efforts
The City of East Providence was selected to participate in National League of Cities’ (NLC) third Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program. Through this six-month initiative East Providence will receive a $20,000 grant and expert guidance to promote economic mobility in the city. East Providence is one of 12 municipalities from across the country competitively selected to participate in the initiative, which is supported by the Gates Foundation. The other selected cities include: Antioch, CA; Chelsea, MA; Evanston, LI; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Hamtramck, MI; Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Pinesdale, WY; Savannah, GA; and Young Harris, GA.
"It is great honor that East Providence has been selected as one of 12 municipalities to receive the Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant," Mayor Bob DaSilva said. "This grant will enable us to continue our collaboration with the East Providence Health Equity Zone to provide health and nutrition education, support for families with young children, support our aging population and provide outdoor activities and education for our community."
Through participation in the project, East Providence plans to enable both the City and its partners, East Providence Health Equity Zone and East Bay Community Action Program, to directly connect residents with public benefits such as SNAP, CTC, EITC or free tax preparation services. These valuable organizations are currently implementing a program that uses the City’s Community Development Block Grant funding to provide senior citizens access to the benefits.
The grant funds will be used to expand this program to other vulnerable groups in East Providence, such as children and families, low to moderate income residents and unhoused people. Participation in the program also has the potential to leverage additional funding for East Providence to promote economic mobility efforts.
Providence to Newport Ferry Service
In a June press release, Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr., Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Kristen Adamo, Discover Newport Communications Director Cassandra Earle, and Seastreak President James Barker today kicked off the 2025 Providence-Newport Ferry season. The popular service returned for its 10th season last month, with four daily roundtrips seven days a week. The ferry also makes weekend stops in Bristol.
“RIDOT began the service in 2016 to provide an alternative to automobile travel between the two cities. The service gives riders the chance to avoid the hassles of driving and parking and reduces vehicle emissions. To date, more than 318,000 passengers have ridden the ferry,” said the statement in part.
“The return of the Providence-Newport Ferry is a welcome sign of another great Rhode Island summer,” Governor McKee said. “It’s a fantastic resource for an affordable and highly enjoyable way to travel between Providence and Newport.”
“It’s hard to believe we’re kicking off our 10th season,” Director Alviti said. “But we’re so pleased at how receptive people have been to this service over the years. We wanted to create a way for everyone to enjoy Narragansett Bay at a reasonable cost, and this is it.”
Seastreak will again be the operator of the ferry Ocean State. The cost to ride the ferry remains unchanged from last year, $12 each way for adults, and $6 each way for children, seniors, those with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Bikes and pets are allowed aboard for no additional charge. Free parking is available in the Providence terminal at 25 India St., Providence. The ferry season will run through Columbus Day weekend (October 13). Service to Bristol will operate on weekends through Labor Day. RIDOT will also run special ferries for those going to the Bristol Fourth of July Parade.
Two EP Primary Care Practices Awarded $258K
Rhode Island Health and Human Services announced grants awarded to support 85 primary care practices across Rhode Island. Two of these include Brown Waterman Pediatrics ($77K) and EBCAP Riverside ($181K). “Access to quality care starts with strong primary care,” said Governor Dan McKee. “That's why my administration is focused on supporting the recruitment and retention of primary care providers and increasing access to serve more Rhode Islanders. This work is central to our RI 2030 goal of building a healthier state for all.”
“Primary care is the foundation of preventive care and overall positive health outcomes,” said EOHHS Secretary Richard Charest. “These grants will support primary care practices in Rhode Island to expand their practices so they can see more patients, which, in turn, will ease the burden on Rhode Islanders seeking access to primary care.”
Rhode Island, like many other states, has seen a continuing decline in the primary care workforce in recent years; primary care providers are retiring, and the pipeline to replace them is limited. Hopefully this will help to strengthen Rhode Island’s primary care system:
Primary care providers were invited to apply for grants across three tiers, representing different criteria. An important component asked practices to demonstrate that they have accepted new patients onto their patient panel. Applicants were also asked to show that they recruited new primary care physicians or mid-level providers, such as Nurse Practitioners or Physician's Assistants, to the Rhode Island primary care workforce.
EBCAP Opens New Pharmacy in EP
A new pharmacy is now open to the public at East Bay Community Action Program. A Grand Opening Celebration of their new on-site pharmacy, Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy was held last month. They are located at 100 Bullocks Point Ave., Riverside. East Bay Community Action Program is both a Federally Qualified Health Center and Community Action agency serving Rhode Island's East Bay region. The onsite pharmacy addition further demonstrates their commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible health care to our patients. The Genoa pharmacy will play a vital role in improving health outcomes for our community, particularly for those facing barriers to affordable medication access.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here