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April 1, 2008

Update: Former police chief Smith to head RIEMA

Governor Carcieri has appointed a former Narragansett and Westerly police chief to head the state’s Emergency Management Agency, whose executive director was fired after a crippling snowstorm last December.

J. David Smith is expected to take on his new role as of April 21, almost four months after Carcieri fired Robert J. Warren in the wake of criticism over the handling of the storm..

National Guard Maj. Gen. Robert Bray, who has been serving as acting executive director of agency, said in a statement that Smith’s background would allow him to “hit the ground running.”

“He is well known and respected,” Bray said, “I look forward to working with him to ensure the preparedness of the state.”

As adjutant general of the state National Guard, Bray oversees the RIEMA. The agency is responsible for coordinating governmental resources in the event of disaster.

In addition to his positions as the police chief in Westerly, and then in Narragansett, Smith took on the director of public safety and transportation position at Roger Williams University last year. He is also the past president of the Police Chiefs Association. Carcieri also noted that Smith has "already done critical work for the EMA by spearheading the development of the statewide emergency communication infrastructure."

This afternoon, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, who had been one of the most vocal critics of the snowstorm's handling, which occurred while Governor Carcieri was traveling in the Mideast, said:

"Chief Smith has a great track record working with local communities to address challenges that face our state's emergency responders and planners. His actions to upgrade our emergency communications system in the state serve as an example of his diligence, responsibility and ability to work constructively to solve problems.

"I look forward to meeting with Chief Smith to establish the priorities for RI EMA at a time when further progress is necessary to protect and prepare every Rhode Islander for future disasters."

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 3:30 PM | Permalink

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Dan in Las Vegas | April 1, 2008 1:07 PM link

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