Writing a new chapter

Eagle Scout project revitalizes historic fire station

Johnston Sun Rise ·

To say that Richard “Ricky” Ballirano is no ordinary teenager would probably be an understatement.

Just 17 years old, he has impressive maturity, business sense, people skills, and above all else seemingly near unmatched enthusiasm.

And that, people like Mike Placella will attest, is why the 102-year-old, one-time Thornton Volunteer Fire Company located at 1 Willow St. in Johnston recently received a much-needed facelift and appears ready to be around for at least another century.

Back a few months, Ballirano – who is a senior at Johnston High School – submitted a proposal to members of Boy Scout Troop 20, which meets at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church in Johnston, concerning his Eagle Scout Project.

“I have an Eagle Scout project in mind that I believe is very special,” Ballirano told his fellow Scouts. “This project will benefit the people of Johnston and others throughout the state. It’s about a volunteer fire station that is part of the Johnston Fire Department.”

He also told members of Troop 20 – which is steeped in Eagle Scout award history – that the fire station is being used by the department for storage of reserve fire apparatus and other equipment, and as a classroom and site for training new firefighters.

Moreover, Ballirano said, the ageless red brick building will be used in emergency and disaster situations and even house people if a state of emergency is ever declared, just like it was back in the 1950s when the FDA and Civil Defense used the facility.

Ballirano realized though, that the Thornton station was in need of repair and submitted a long shopping list explaining repairs that needed to be done by contractors and his fellow Scouts, and the need for donations to help restore – in part – the building which was incorporated back on Aug. 19, 1914 by the Secretary of State and placed in service 24/7 as a municipal fire station.

And that’s where Placella, who is a lifetime member of the Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Association and has been involved in the Johnston Volunteer Fire Station ever since 1943, comes in.

“I spoke with Mr. Placella and he really liked the idea,” Ballirano said of his Eagle Scout proposal. “He’s still the captain of the volunteer fire company group and is proud that the original 1936 Maxum fire truck [which has also been restored] is still kept inside the Thornton building.”

Once Ballirano received the go-ahead, he rolled up his sleeves, coordinated his fellow Boy Scouts – as well as contractors – and went about seeking donations to help preserve a valuable piece of Johnston’s history.

“When I reached out to people to help with the project, I was never rejected even though I knew I was asking for a lot,” Ballirano said. “I truly felt – and was hoping – that people, knowing this was a fire station and the project involved Boy Scouts of America, that they’d be willing to help.”

And help is exactly what a host of people did. The list includes Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, Placella and the Johnston Volunteer Fire Company membership, Allan Zambarano, John Eramian of Eramian Signs, Mike Cianci Plastering, Greenville Collision, Boy Scout Troop 20, Ballirano Law Offices, and Vincent Ballirano Carpentry Works.

Ballirano explained that some of the work done by contractors included repairing broken plaster in the apparatus room, making a new sign in front of the station, and painting the top of the garage doors in front of the station down to six feet.

Troop 20 members began working on their long list of needed repairs that included painting and repairing interior wall moldings, painting areas where plaster was repaired around windows in the apparatus room, repairing the side door and painting it, making a new sign that would resemble the original sign with identical lettering, replacing a glass panel in front of the overhead door, and even installing a new handle with a lock and repairing the station’s bathroom.

The project was recently completed, and people like Ballirano father and mother, Vincent and Michaela Ballirano, as well as grandfather Vincent Ballirano Jr., Troop 20 Scoutmaster David Curtin, and the Johnston Volunteer Fire Company brotherhood are proud of Ballirano and his fellow scouts Antonio Martinelli, Zach DiCarlo, Patrick Young, Derek Paquin, Mark Renzi, Kenny Card, Damon Bedford, Adam Bouchard, Sean Anderson, and Jackson Hafey.

Likewise, officials of the Boys Scouts of America’s Narragansett Council can boast of yet another great community project similar to the ones Troop 20 has completed at Governor King Park, the Johnston Police Station, and in front of the Johnston Fire Department.

“I feel honored that we were able to help preserve this station,” Ballirano said. “I realize there have been many people involved in this first station over the years who have been so dedicated to its existence and that we’ve played a part in the town’s history.”