Warren names new fire chief

Department veteran James Sousa takes over for retiring Al Galinelli

EastBayRI.com ·

James Sousa has been named Warren’s new Fire Chief, replacing veteran Al Galinelli, who will retire at the end of the month after nearly 30 years as the town’s top fire fighter and 50-plus years on the force.

Chief Sousa, a Warren native who graduated from Warren High School in 1988, was interviewed last week by Chief Galinelli, the police chief and town manager, and was notified that he’d gotten the job on Wednesday. He will work with outgoing Chief Galinelli for the next two weeks until the reins are officially handed over on Friday, Oct. 27.

“It’s a lifelong dream that just fell into place,” said incoming Chief Sousa, who joined the Warren force as a cadet at age 16 and worked his way up the ranks to become assistant chief with Engine 6 in Touisset.

“Starting off as a volunteer, and then having the opportunity to do this for a career, it’s been great,” said Chief Sousa. The thought of becoming chief “is very appealing.”

Chief Sousa was the only member of the Warren Fire Department to apply for the job, which outgoing Chief Galinelli said is a testament to his standing in Warren’s all volunteer force.

“I’m not surprised,” said outgoing Chief Galinelli. “I think because of the system we have in place, the guys knew he wanted it and they all felt comfortable with him.”

“He’ll do a great job, a great job.”

While he was serving his home town as a volunteer, Chief Sousa also spent more than 20 years with the paid Portsmouth Fire Department. He started as a fire fighter, worked his way up to lieutenant and finally to captain seven years ago, before retiring this past July.

Taking over in Warren is a lifelong dream not just because of his love of the field, but also because of Warren’s department itself, he said.

“It’s got a lot of respect across the state,” he said. “It’s a great department, a lot of good people.”

Chief Sousa’s hiring still needs to be ratified by the Warren Town Council at its November meeting, and Chief Galinelli said he hopes a ceremony is held to welcome him aboard. Though the incoming chief doesn’t have his badge yet, “he can borrow mine if he needs it” on the big day, Chief Galinelli said.

Chief Sousa has been married for 20 years to his wife Kerri. Together they have two daughters; Katie, a sophomore at Mt. Hope High School, and Emily, a college freshman.