Hopkins Hill Fire Department

ABOUT

The Hopkins Hill Fire District Board of Directors has the overall responsibility for the operation of Hopkins Hill Fire Department. The board exercises that responsibility through the Chief of the department. The Chief is appointed by the District Board. Fire Department Officers are appointed by the Chief, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

The Chief operates the department much as the CEO of any organization would. He is responsible for the entire operation including budgeting and spending. Hopkins Hill Fire Department’s budget is presented in the Facts & Figures section of this web site.

A more detailed look at the organization is available by clicking on the topics in the Information section to the right or the tabs above. We encourage you to thoroughly review this information.

We are very proud of our organization and it's professionalism. We have attempted to present the information necessary so that you could share our pride in this organization and its officers and fire-fighters.

HISTORY OF OUR DEPARTMENT

The Hopkins Hill Road Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1952 by its first Chief, Clifton H. Barbour. Note that originally, the name included the word "Road", which was probably appropriate for the time. Since then, growth in the area dictated that "Road" be eliminated to more properly describe the area served.

Assembled in front of garage at the Barbour Lace Mill are the original members and equipment of the Hopkins Hill Road Volunteer Fire Department. Left truck - 1946 Ford. Driver is Arthur "Bud" Miller. Standing near the cab is Art Rathbun.

Behind Art are John Swiencki and Leo Gorton. On truck, L - R; Rene Brunette, Mederic Maguire and H.J. "Bo" Beauchaine (Secretary). Middle truck - American La France 1916. Standing on left side; Bernard Norman, Jesse Rathbun, Cliff Barbour (Chief). Driver; Herbert Norman, sitting; Ralph Murphy. Standing in rear, L - R; Ralph Carlson, Benjamin Dzialo (Treasurer). With elbow on truck; Level Hopkins. Right truck - 1942 Dodge Truck on right. Around it, L _ R,; John Murphy, William Sundelin, Bernard Harrington, Howard Barbour, Joseph Swiencki, Al Plackett. Buzz Barbour is in the cab.

SERVICES

Hopkins Hill Fire District and Fire Department provide the services listed here, some of which may be surprising.

FIRE HYDRANT RENTAL AND MAINTENANCE: The Fire District is responsible for the costs incurred for these expenses the Hopkins Hill Fire District area. The Fire District Board pays these costs to the Kent County Water Authority using funds from your Fire District Taxes.

HIGHWAY AND ROAD LIGHTING: The Fire District is responsible for the costs incurred for these expenses the Hopkins Hill Fire District area. The Fire District Board pays these costs to National Grid using funds from your Fire District Taxes.

FIRE EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Hopkins Hill Fire Division responds to calls in their own district and in response to calls for aid from other districts and communities.

RESCUE EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Hopkins Hill Rescue Division responds to calls in their own district and in response to calls for aid from other districts and communities.

REQUIRED HOME SMOKE ALARM INSPECTION: The Fire Marshall performs inspections of home smoke alarms, as required by Rhode Island State Fire Safety Code. Smoke alarms must be inspected by the local fire department when a house (1,2, or 3 family dwellings) is being sold.

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION BUILDING PLAN APPROVAL: State and/or local codes requires the Fire Marshal approval of new home construction plans before the town building inspector will issue a building permit. Click for more details.

NEW COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION BUILDING PLAN APPROVAL: State and/or local codes requires the Fire Marshal approval of new commercial building construction plans before the town building inspector will issue a building permit. Click for more details.

EXISTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION: It is the responsibility of the Fire Marshal to inspect facilities which have licenses issued by the Town of Coventry, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, and other agencies. School buildings, Day Care facilities and other businesses are inspected before license renewal. Click for more details.

MUTUAL AID: Hopkins Hill Fire and Rescue responds to requests for assistance and support with personnel, vehicles and equipment to departments in Coventry and other communities.

PATIENT ASSISTANCE: Our Rescue Unit responds to the aid of patients within our district who require physical assistance in moving about. Assistance may take the form of helping to move from their car to the house, assisting patients who have fallen and can’t up, etc.

BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING: Free Blood Pressure testing is available during normal business hours at the Hopkins Hill Fire Station, at the corner of Hopkins Hill Rd. and Bestwick Trail, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., unless there is a fire or rescue call in progress. Call us at (401) 821-6866 before you come.

LIFESAVING AND CPR TRAINING: CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) training is available to public at the station. Minimum class size is 6. Call for pricing. Fees go to the organization which issues the license (American Red Cross, American Heart association, etc.) not Hopkins Hill Fire Department. For information, a list of CPR/BLS Instructors and appointments, contact the Station at (401) 821-6866.

COMFORT ONE PROGRAM: While perhaps not a "service", the Comfort One program may be of interest to the residents of the area. Hopkins Hill Fire Department personnel are fully trained as to the proper procedures to follow regarding this program which is another indication of the high level of capability of Hopkins Hill Rescue personnel. Comfort One is a program for terminally ill patients who do not desire life saving or resuscitation procedures performed on them if they become unresponsive during their illness.