Chief Smith of Providence Asks for Retirement

Chief Smith of Providence Asks for Retirement

Chief William F. Smith of the Providence, R. I., fire department, presented a written request for retirement at the meeting of the board of fire commissioners on February 28 to take effect March 10. Chief Smith will be placed on the pension list at half pay, it is expected. Chief Smith last November rounded out his thirty-fifth year in the department. He was eligible to go on the pension list ten or more years ago. He was appointed head of the Providence fire department on August 7, to succeed Chief Reuben D. Weekes, who resigned on August 3, after a service of forty-one years in the department, twelve of which he was chief. Chief Smith was appointed a call hoseman on November 1, 1886, and was assigned to Engine No. 8. He became a permanent member of the Providence fire department on March 19, 1889, when he was appointed ladderman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. His first promotion was to a lieutenancy, which occurred on September 21, 1891, he being then transferred to Hook and Ladder No. 2. On July 20, 1895, he was promoted to a captaincy and placed in command of Hook and Ladder No. 6. The next advancement that Chief Smith received was that of district chief—now designated as battalion chief—of District No. 3, which occurred on June 1, 1902. Since that time Chief Smith has been transferred twice, in the first instance to District No. 2, on April 1, 1909. and in the second to District No. 2, on April 1, 1921. In point of service Chief Smith is the fourth oldest man in the department. He is a 32nd degree Mason and is a member of Harmony Lodge of Pawtuxet, St. John’s Commandery and Palestine Temple.

Battalion Chief Frank Charlesworth has been appointed to succeed Chief Smith and at the same time Captain John H. Fischer has been made a battalion chief, according to an announcement by the board of fire commissioners of Providence.