By JOHN HOWELL It looks straight out of Hollywood. A horseshoe shaped arrangement of gray-topped tables with red ribbing faces a wall-sized screen. Black rolling chairs are positioned in front of telephones and electrical and computer ports. The lighting
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It looks straight out of Hollywood.
A horseshoe shaped arrangement of gray-topped tables with red ribbing faces a wall-sized screen. Black rolling chairs are positioned in front of telephones and electrical and computer ports. The lighting is subdued. The focus is directed at the screen.
Fire Chief Peter McMichael points to a bin on wheels with a door that locks.
“Here are the laptops,” he says. The computers will come out when the command center is activated for an emergency or training.
On Monday, Mayor Joseph Solomon announced he had named McMichael the city’s Emergency Management Agency director, a position previously held by Col. Rick Rathbun, chief of the Warwick Police Department. Rathbun assumed that role on the retirement of Fire Chief James McLaughlin soon after former Mayor Scott Avedisian resigned to accept the leadership position at the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority in the spring of 2018.
McMichael didn’t have to wait long – in fact, it was practically simultaneous – before the Department of Health confirmed the state has two cases of the coronavirus. On Monday, Solomon created a city task force in response to the virus and many of the group’s members met at the command center. Department of Health protocols for dealing with the virus still showed on the screen Tuesday.
McMichael lauds Solomon for rapidly creating the task force and pulling together department directors and key personnel. He is hopeful the task force won’t be needed, but as he emphasizes his role as EMA director, is all about planning and connecting.
He notes in the case of the virus the state Department of Health is taking the lead, and the city’s role – and that of the EMA – fits under that umbrella. The EMA steps in during winter storms and hurricanes when coastal flooding prompts evacuations; there are power outages and downed trees and limbs. There are other situations where McMichael and the EMA could be called into action.
“The big thing is that [the command center] brings people together. We’re all accessible to each other,” McMichael said.
He can imagine the center being a valuable tool if there is a dramatic increase in the virus and the city is faced with having to close multiple schools and public venues.
Asked what contingency plans the Fire Department has should the virus become prevalent, McMichael said, “we’re hoping it doesn’t get to that level where he have to quarantine.”
The chief was referring to Seattle, where some first responders to a nursing home were placed in quarantine because they had been had been exposed to the virus.
What would be the protocol here?
First, McMichael said cases and suspected cases of coronavirus should not be treated as a medical emergency such as a heart attack or an accident. He said people should first call their primary care physician. They should not be calling 911.
“The last thing we want is to over-tax the 911 system,” he said.
Yet there could be cases where rescue could be involved.
“If they call us, all we’re going to be is a ride to the hospital,” he said.
That would have consequences. McMichael explained the rescue truck would be taken out of service to be decontaminated and quite possibly the team that responded might be quarantined.
McMichael reiterated the precautions of sneezing into one’s arm – not hands – as well as washing hands frequently and staying home with flu-like symptoms. Those steps are being urged by the governor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health care officials.
In a release announcing McMichael’s appointment as EMA director, Solomon said, “This has truly been a cooperative effort and is a testament to Warwick’s excellent public safety team. I have stated many times that I believe Warwick’s Police and Fire Departments are the best around, and our teams all hands on deck approach in sharing duties further supports my belief. During his oversight of EMA, Colonel Rathbun greatly improved communications between departments and brought our capabilities to the next level. I am very thankful to Colonel Rathbun for guiding our Emergency Management Agency when the City needed him.”
McMichael said he has the required credentials as EMA director. As he prepared to leave the room, he looked around before switching off the lights.
“If all goes well, we won’t need this room in the near future,” he said.
45 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Jsimmy230
Maybe going foward, when his phone answering staff is instructed to route specific taxpayer calls to the Chief, he would be Professional enough to call the taxpayer back.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
JamesBruder
Why would he answer the phone from a psychopath that calls 10 times a day to complain about normal department operations. Ever hear of the “Boy Who Cried Wolf”....
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
2nd time I ever called WFD Idiot, and I lived her 37 years paying alot of taxes. Now stop showing your ignorance FAKE NAME COWARD.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
Warwick_Resident1998
John,
Just because you request to speak to the chief it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. This is municipal government and not Wal-Mart. Save your “I want to speak to the manager” b.s. for the people in customer service that you undoubtedly try to intimidate.
Nobody cares what you have to say. Stop bothering these guys and girls who are trying to do the cities business. They don’t have time to listen to you rant and rave.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
@&*%&# you COWARD .. and him. Alleged professionals that I pay their salaries should return calls or have someone else do it. WFD got 220 useless @&*%&#s sitting on their ass all day, and night, playing fireman like 5 year olds with a new toy. Have the self respect to do your job, or have the balls to return the call and say don't bother me. Oh I forgot, it is the WFD and they have no clue on what a professional public servant making over 125K per year SHOULD DO ....... YOU FAKE NAME COWARD!
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
Warwick_Resident1998
Are you really surprised that nobody will reply to you? Look at what you just wrote. Get some help.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
The truth shouldn't hurt. Facts are facts. Earn your %^@*&ing salary or go away and get help yourself, FAKE NAME COWARDS!
Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
In this city, department directors do not respond to psychotic dirty corrupt racist former cops who are collecting a TAX FREE bogus disability pension of over $100,000 per year.
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH
FAKE NAME COWARDS .... LMFAO
COME SEE ME !!!!!!
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Sorry Johnny Pajamas, but you had your chance on this past Monday night at 40 Sheridan St., but you didn't show. Just more typical behavior from the Oakland Beach COWARD. Now get upstairs-your wife is calling you-it's time for your diaper change.
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Check out this comment from Johnny Sweatpants:
"2nd time I ever called WFD Idiot, and I lived her 37 years paying alot of taxes. Now stop showing your ignorance FAKE NAME COWARD."
The taxes he has paid in Warwick hardly make up for the MILLIONS of tax free dollars he has scammed from the city of Providence for his phony disability pension.
What a lowlife dirt bag.
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
One Oakland Beach COWARD, and that is you Bill, using several FAKE NAMES. I know who you are, and you will get yours soon, and your wife too .... LMFAO
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
After the latest salvo of rude, vulgar, and threatening comments by Johnny Sweat Pants, you can see why even his best friends such as Cote, Cushman, Block, and Stacia won't even touch this loser with a 10 foot pole. While they're still his best buddies, they won't admit it in public and they won't defend him or condone his unstable behavior.
And thank you to Mr. Howell of the Beacon for not removing the disgusting posts by Johnny Sweat Pants, as it allows the readers to see what a psychopath the guy is.
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Is Johnny Bucktooth still available to open tuna fish cans?
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
They aren't my friends, you dope. Learn to read ...
I don't care what you, them, or anyone else thinks about my opinions, just like I don't care what Bill, and all his other fake names, opinion is. Get me out of your head FAT BOY BILL FROM OAKLAND BEACH .... LMFAO
Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this
thepilgrim
You guys need to stay on topic and stop the adhominem attacks. The Beacon might very well stop all comments if this persists.
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
To Robert: Below is word for word comments made by Johnny Pajamas slandering and accusing Mr. Howell, a we'll respected journalist of a crime. It appears Mr. Howell purposely leaves the comments of Mr. Pajamas up on his website so yourself and others can see what a rude, obnoxious, and hateful person he is.
Maybe if Johnny Pajamas got off his lazy behind and got a job, instead of collecting a TAX FREE phony disability pension from the city of Providence that has cost the taxpayers MILLIONS of dollars, he might have less time on his hands to spew his useless drivel, such as his comments below:
John Simoneau
The Beacon, like all other fake news agencies in US, is bought and paid for. I have witnessed it many times personally. I have given John Howell information on corruption by a friend of his, Councilwoman Donna Travis, and he refused to publish it, even though the RI Ethics Commission later used the same information to find her guilty of several ethics violations. I also gave him information about improper actions by the WPD, that involved this same Councilwoman. He never published that either. During the Avedisian administration, he was just a City cheerleader, because the City lowered the reevaluation on of his Beacin property on Warwick Ave, which means lower taxes paid to the City, while at the same time he was making money from a City contract to print their legal notices. When you lay with DOGS, you get fleas, and the BEACON is so infested they will never stop itching!
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
As a relatively new (one year) resident of Warwick, I'm amazed and disheartened about the back and forth arguing on this website, as I've found the Beacon to be a very informative news source.
With that being said, there seems to be a large focus on salaries of city workers, which where I come from in Pennsylvania, is public record. A simple internet search or quick trip to town hall can give you the salary and pension information on any policeman, fireman, teacher, sanitation worker, etc. Maybe Warwick has different rules, but I would think that state or town workers salary information would be readily available to members of the public. And while an employee's personal information should not be made public, their salaries and retirement benefits should be made public, as hiding that information from the public causes mistrust in government, and feeds the fire regarding arguments among posters.
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
THE TRUTH HURTS .....
Educated Voter .... in RI Is an oxymoron, or we wouldn't be stuck with your wife, FAT BILL from Oakland Beach, who is still a COWARD afraid to use his real name when posting under ALL his fake names here !
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
joemomma
johnny snaggle tooth, isnt your kid like a crackhead or something?
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
REAL NAME COWARD ......
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
joemomma
i heard theres plenty of firefighters at the gym you go to. but yet you havent said a word to anyone, coward ass snitch bitch
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
FAKE NAME COWARD.......
I don't know who the "PLENTY OF FIREMEN " that go to my gym are, and I don't care actually ... but since you know it, I'm sure they said something to you about me .... I DON'T RECALL ANY OF THEM COMING TO ME ....
MORE COWARDS LIKE YOU I GUESS ... LOL
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
thepilgrim
The city’s “emergency management agency”. This is a local branch of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency”. FEMA is the real “powers that be” that is preparing to put all non compliant US Citizens in “re-education camps” once martial law is declared. Whose side is Solomon on? I hope the Warwick citizenry wakes up soon.
Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this
JamesBruder
Robert, your tin foil hat is crooked. Can you believe we live in a functioning society with the nut cases....
Sunday, March 8, 2020 Report this
thepilgrim
Einstein, You can only resort to adhominem attack since you can’t refute with facts or with truths. You consider this a “functioning society”? Very shortly Warwick will be unrecognizable.
Sunday, March 8, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
To Richard smoker:
Don't expect an answer from Johnny Pajamas regarding his son's criminal record, as he won't even discuss his pension, his phony disability, or the fact that the police department ordered him to be examined by a psychiatrist. One thing is for certain though, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to the son of Johnny Pajamas.
By the way, "Richard smoker"-hilarious name.
Monday, March 9, 2020 Report this
Cat2222
I am glad that we have something that is new and state of the art technology so that our emergency management people can work together to provide solutions to emergencies. I don't care who is in it, only that they do their jobs and keep us protected. I don't care who paid for it because we already we know we did as taxpayers. I don't care what John Simoneau comments because he always says the same thing and it is irrelevant to the topic of the story. Let's keep things moving folks. Ignore the troll and you will be much happier as well as informed. We all know that FEMA takes precedence over local but that still doesn't mean our local authorities don't need a place to meet that has the technology to assist in the time of an emergency. Until such a time that it is proven this isn't a good thing, I will look at it in a positive light. Let's stay on track people.
Monday, March 9, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Billy T .... come see me .... lol
I'm a poet and didn't even know it....... lmfao
What son are you talking about? If you think you know so much, why all the different fake names, and lying bs?
COWARD
CAT ..... You don't see the fake name COWARDS, that never address the topic just slander me spouting the same bs everyday .... just me right? I state my opinion on the article topic, get attacked and I defend myself.
Do you read that?
Monday, March 9, 2020 Report this
Jessica
John to answer your question about "what son", i believe (and could be wrong) he was referring to the son that had a child with Donna Travis's daughter and then had to be forced by the courts to support that child....according to public record, anyway. He seems to be the one with the longest record.
Hope that clears it up.
Yeah i know..iM a CoWArD
Monday, March 9, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Johnny Pajamas, to clarify further, I mean the alleged daughter that doesn't have your sons last name, and no paternity test to prove it? The mother, of this alleged daughter, that while living with your son at the home of her mother, was also sleeping with her next door neighbor? The mother of this alleged daughter, that later married another man, and while her daughters were sleeping upstairs, as well as her now divorced husband, she was sleeping downstairs on the couch with her ex-husbands relative that was visiting for awhile and staying in their house? The alleged daughter, that saw the activity of her mother, and told her alleged father? I'm sure this has now made it all much clearer Johnny pajamas. Now everyone knows the rest of the story.
Monday, March 9, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
@John .. Fat Billy T, Educated Voter, or whatever other FAKE NAMES YOU USE COWARD .... the people should really see now how disgusting you are.
You know everything.... What is my son's name, COWARD?
You know that you can't say any of this crap, lies, and BS to my or his face, Coward..... I do know who you are, and we will see! I'm done with you, for now. You are really low to bring innocent people into this blog, all to pursue your vendetta against me. I'm sure even your COWARD friends would have to cut you lose now...LOSER...
Unless you post something relative to the topic of article here, you will be talking to yourself.
My last invite ...... come see me COWARD!
John Simoneau OUT!
Monday, March 9, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
While Johnny Pajamas has stated he will no longer be posting, the readers might want to take his promise with a grain of salt, as he has no credibility whatsoever. The facts are the facts, and while his son has had his share of legal problems, Pajamas has to shoulder some of the blame. When you defraud the city where you were employed and then boast about it, naturally your children are going to feel that type of criminal behavior is acceptable.
The smart money says Johnny Pajamas will be right back at it, spewing his anger, challenging other posters to physical altercations, and generally making a fool of himself. It's how he has lived his entire life-what makes anyone think he's going to have an epiphany and change his abhorrent behavior.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
I use my name, and I post about the topic of the articles. ...
COWARDS don't, and they NEVER address the article topic. They marry, and then raise TRAMPS.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Cat2222
John Simoneau , you can't say you are always defending yourself when you are the one who lights the fire. You have a short fuse and seemingly the smallest of sparks will set you off. Then its all CAPS and COWARDS and come see me. You have issues. The comment section of the beacon isn't the place to air them out. Take a break man and get some space between you and the comments. For your own good. It may bring you some perspective.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
My perspective is fine, yours is not, to me. Learn to read, and go back to top of all articles I posted on. I post my opinion, get personally attacked, then I attack. I don't remember asking you your opinion. Probably one that uses more than one FAKE NAME, or ONE person using a dozen different names. Either way, I DON'T CARE. What is your post on this article, since I don't recall reading one above, just this one attacking me like a COWARD also.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Warwick_Resident1998
And all one has to do is scroll to the 1st comment posted for this article. There you will see a post which has absolutely nothing to do with what the article was written about.
The first post is complaining that the chief, in his short time here in Warwick, has already learned to pay Mr. Sweatpants no mind.
So no John, you don’t post about the articles. You needlessly post about your incorrect agenda.
This is just another example of why you have zero credibility.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Dope. ANITGER FAKE NAME COWARD ...
Read again, or get someone to read it SLOWLY to you. It was about the lack of professionalism of the NEW EMA Director and WFD Chief. His troops have the same attitude towards taxpayers. Entitled LOSERS. He, not me, instructed my call with a question to he sent to him, through his phone answerers, same as will be on EMA phones no doubt, and then he refused to respond to see what the question was. Unprofessional, overpaid, entitked career firefighter. Shows that WFD needs a civilian manager to lead them if you want efficiency, NOT ONE OF THE BOYS.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Before Johnny Bucktooth criticizes others, he should straighten out his own family's legal problems.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Former User
Cat, the people who work for our city are overwhelmingly dedicated and professional, as shown in Fire Chief McMichael heading up the city's EMA efforts.
Nothing that these angry online commenters say or do will change that.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Why would someone who is defrauding the taxpayers of Providence to the tune of $100,000 per year TAX FREE be such an angry person? With that kind of money coming in every month, you can live pretty large!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
You FAKE NAME COWARDS have no clue. My family has no legal problems, and I'm a happy guy. Please try to know about what you speak. Besides being COWARDS, another reason why you use Fake Names is so people don't find out how really stupid you actually are.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Anyone who reads this newspaper can see Johnny Pajamas is far from happy, and is actually a very angry and psychotic individual. While he has collected MILLIONS OF TAX FREE DOLLARS from the taxpayers of Providence from his phony disability, instead of taking the money and keeping his pie hole shut, he makes a spectacle of himself and draws more attention to his criminal deeds. Now you can see why his son is no stranger to the criminal justice system. And a good barometer of how toxic Johnny Pajamas is in this city would be the republican candidates who are planning to run for mayor and city council later this year. They have made it abundantly clear to the republican leadership that they will not accept campaign contributions from Johnny Pajamas, they will not accept any endorsement from him, and they basically want nothing to do with him. Just being seen with him or being associated with him would sink a candidate's campaign before it even got off the ground.
With nobody wanting to even touch him with a 10 foot pole, even his buddies Stacia, Cushman, Block, and Cote have disowned him, and his own family members (if they're not in jail) wouldn't even vote for him. Sorry Johnny Pajamas, you have officially been determined to be IRRELEVANT in this city. Time for you to go back to riding around Oakland Beach making obscene gestures at city workers as you drive by them.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH .... COWARD.
I'm an independent that has never, and never will give money to any politician because THEY ARE ALL SCUMBAGS. Unlike you, I would not support any POLITICIANS anyway. I will vote for whoever is NOT AN INCUMBENT.
You actually know nothing about me. I really do wish I made what you claim though. Maybe you can supplement my income LOSER.... LMFAO
Must be tough having NO LIFE, and living with ME IN YOUR HEAD CONSTANTLY..... ENJOY !
Now go get NEW, CORRECT material ... FAKE NAME COWARD!
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Vote Johnny Pajamas for mayor-make buck teeth great again!
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this