East Providence Fire Dept. Swears in Largest Training Academy in its History; East Providence Police Swears in Two New Officers, Promotes Members

East Providence, RI – The East Providence Fire Dept. recently swore in its largest group of firefighters in the City’s history.

The EPFD held its 34th training academy which included 10 weeks of training at the State Fire Academy, 10 weeks in the City Academy and 10 weeks in the Advanced EMT-Cardiac School, for a total of 30 weeks of intense training.

“You have earned the distinction of being one the best trained, best prepared firefighters, ready to serve one of the most vibrant cities in the state,” Chief Glenn J. Quick told the recruits during a small ceremony held at the East Providence High School. “Nothing replaces your unwavering training and we can all remain safe because of the hard work and dedication of all the men and women of the East Providence Fire Department.

“For today and every day, it’s our responsibility to keep our citizens safe,” Quick added.
Despite COVID-19 having its grip on the City, the East Providence Fire Department has been on the frontlines of this global pandemic and will continue to be until everyone is safe.

“We know the physical and mental challenges that you will all face while on the job,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “I have full confidence in the fact that the men and women of 34th Training Class will make its department proud and the residents of this City feel safe.”

“We are extremely proud of the hard work and efforts of not only the new members of our East Providence Fire Department, but also the dedication from the number of academy instructors” Mayor Bob DaSilva said.

The 20 newly-sworn in firefighters begin their first shifts on Feb. 14, 2021 and bring the department to full staffing.

The 34th Training Class of the East Providence Fire Dept.

Joseph C. Andreozzi,
Dante J. Capaldi,
Wendy J. Clark
John W. Costa Jr.
Geoffrey W. Desmarais,
Ryan W. Digiulio
Christopher M. Forget
Johan F.Giraldo
Benjamin P. Godek,
Kara-Ann Hartnett
Cory Mcguire
Nicholas J. Mulvihill
Aidan M. O’brien
Graeme C. Potter
Davis C. Roast
Donald B. Seymour
Grayson S. Smith
Robert A. Sturdahl
Hoan Vu Su
Richard A. Williams

The East Providence Police Dept. recently added two new officers to its roster and promoted a number of its members at a small swearing-in ceremony held at the East Providence City Hall Council Chambers.

Mayor DaSilva swore in the two new officers and swore in six existing members of the EPPD to a number of different rankings including:

Capt. Barry Ramer was promoted to the rank of Captain after 27 years with the East Providence Police Dept. Capt. Ramer served on the FDA Task Force for 10 years. Capt. Ramer was instrumental in the investigation which led to a $60 million forfeiture award to the police department. Capt. Ramer is also the long-time commander of the East Providence Police Special Reaction Team. He will now serve as a Patrol Division Commander.

Lt. Michael Rapoza graduated from Westfield State College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and minor in psychology. He is currently enrolled in the master’s program at Johnson and Wales University with a focus on Public Administration. The Lt. was hired by the Swansea Police Dept. after completing the Massachusetts Police Training Council Academy. After working for the Swansea Police Dept. for several years, he was hired by the East Providence Police Department in 2005. Lt. Rapoza has served as a patrol officer, a narcotics investigator, sergeant in the patrol division and as sergeant in the Office of Professional Standards. Also during his tenure at the EPPD, he has been a Field Training Officer, a Drug Recognition Expert, a member of the Peer Support Team and Honor Guard. Lt. Rapoza is a 13-year member of the Special Reaction Team, currently serving as a team leader and also a POST certified firearms instructor at the Rhode Island Municipal Training Academy. Lt. Rapoza was joined by his wife Meredith and daughters, Amelia and Charlotte.

Sgt. Andrew Dubois After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Ida College in 2003, Sgt. Dubois attended and graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in 2004 and was then hired by the East Providence Police Department. He is currently in his 17th year with the department. After spending 7 years in the patrol division, Sgt. Dubois was assigned to the vice unit in 2011 and then assigned to the DEA Task Force from 2012-2016. He was then served in the Services and Prosecution Unit from 2016-2020. Prior to his promotion to Sergeant, he was promoted to Detectives. Sgt. Dubois is currently assigned to the patrol division. He was joined by his father, Retired East Providence Police Major Donald Dubois, his son Donovan, girlfriend Pam Chin and Charlotte Jones.

Sgt. Stephen Rodrigues earned his Bachelor of Science degree Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University and is currently enrolled in Salve Regina University master’s degree program with a focus in Administration of Justice. He began his career at the East Providence Police Department in 2012 in the patrol division. In February 2019, Sgt. Rodrigues was promoted to the rank of detective corporal and assigned to the major crimes division. In March of 2019 he received the department’s exceptional service award for an incident involving a missing/suicidal party who was located in Providence. He served as the 2020-1 Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy Class Training Officer. Sgt. Rodrigues is a member of the Special Reaction Team and most recently became certified as a team sniper. He was joined by his wife Kristen, mother Sherri and father James.

Det. Cpl Warren Caldwell attended the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy 2008, after having worked as a Patrol Officer and Elderly Affairs Officer in the Town of Tiverton. He joined the ranks of the East Providence Police Department in 2014. During his tenure with the department, Det. Caldwell worked as a Patrol Officer prior to being promoted to the Detectives Division. He is a department Field Training Officer, a member of the Special Reaction Team, Honor Guard, and the Motor Unit. In 2019, Det. Caldwell was commissioned as an Officer into the United States Naval Reserve and is currently completing his training as a Naval Intelligence Officer. He is a 2007 graduate of Roger Williams University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a 2016 graduate of Salve Regina University, with a Master's degree in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security. Det. Caldwell was joined by his wife Jennifer and their two sons Warren IV and George.

Det. Cpl. Dennis Medeiros Detective Medeiros graduated with an Associates in Science from Hesser College. Shortly after, he started his law enforcement career with the Tiverton Police Department. When the opportunity presented to return to his hometown and join the East Providence Police Department, he gladly accepted. Det. Medeiros has enjoyed being a Patrol Officer for 17 years. During that time he worked in Community Policing for four years and continued patrolling the neighborhoods in which he was raised. Det. Medeiros looks forward to continuing to serve this community. He was joined by his wife, Christine Medeiros.

Christopher Day and Ryan Havunen were sworn in as Probationary Officers.