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By LINDSAY OLIVIER
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NORTH KINGSTOWN — Town Manager Michael Embury announced Monday that Deputy Chief Patrick Campion will replace David Murray as chief of the North Kingstown Fire Department.
In early July, Murray announced his retirement from the North Kingstown Fire Department and agreed to stay on as interim chief for 75-days, until a replacement was appointed.
“I’m confident that his 27-plus years of experience will serve him well in providing the decisive leadership, administrative management, community relations and tactical skills that are required of anyone serving as a chief of this department,” Embury said.
Campion was one of six internal candidates for the position, all of whom interviewed with Chief James Cotter of the Narragansett Fire Department.
Campion, Embury said, “rose to the top of the list.”
Campion began his career as a call man in East Greenwich in 1971, joined the North Kingstown department in May 1981 as a private, was promoted to lieutenant in January 1987, captain in 1992 and deputy chief in July 1999.
“My uncle is a retired Warwick firefighter and growing up, I knew I liked to help people and that you can’t expect the same day in this job, everyday is always different. I especially like the excitement it offers,” Campion said.
But over the years Campion never dreamed he’d become the chief - he always hoped, but never expected it to happen. He calls this new experience “humbling” and looks forwards to the challenges, especially the financial ones.
“As chief I want to get back to the traditional way of doing things the best we can. We’ve accomplished so much these last few years, especially with the building of Station 5 in Slocum as well as the communication center in the public safety building that’s in the process of construction,” he said.
Just last week, Campion lost his father and was amazed at all the firefighters who came out in droves to pay their respects.
“They were coming in numbers, most of them never met my father. That’s what I love about this department, the support you get from the men and women. They are my second family and I respect each and everyone of them,” he said.
Campion will be sworn in next Wednesday at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Slocum Fire Station. |
