Kenney retires, Fontenault named assistant fire chief

Mayor Scott Avedisian announced Wednesday the appointment of Marcel B. “Monty” Fontenault Jr., a 25-year veteran of the fire department, to the rank of assistant chief. Fontenault will assume the duties of James Kenney, who is retiring.

“Monty has been a well-respected member of the department for nearly three decades and has gone above and beyond on numerous occasions for the betterment of our community,” Avedisian said. “The leadership qualities he has demonstrated throughout his years on the force were certainly a factor in my decision to promote him to this position, and I know he will be a tremendous asset to Chief McLaughlin as they continue to move the department forward.

“Captain Fontenault has been an asset to this job both on- and off-duty for the past 25 years. His dedication to this department has been exemplary throughout his career up to this point and he will be an asset to our administrative staff to continue the goal of providing the best emergency services for the citizens of Warwick,” said Chief James McLaughlin.

“I’m honored to be offered this position and be a part of the fire department administration to help continue moving the Warwick Fire Department forward,” Fontenault said.

Fontenault began his firefighting career in 1980 as a firefighter/EMT-C with the Nasonville Fire District in Burrillville and joined the Smithfield Fire Department in 1987. He served both departments until joining the Warwick department in 1992. He held the rank of firefighter for nine years, during which he earned a Letter of Recognition and a Citation for Meritorious Performance. He served as a rescue lieutenant from 2002 until 2010 and earned recognition for his actions during the Station Nightclub Fire and, in 2005, the Mark Wheeler Memorial Award. He was promoted to fire lieutenant in 2010 and last year took the oath of fire captain, the position he presently holds.