EAST PROVIDENCE — Heaping ample praise on the efforts of their employees and the collaboration between all aspects of government, three of the city’s top administrators to a person said East Providence’s response to the Blizzard of 2015 was near perfect in its execution.
East Providence Police Chief Chris Parella, Fire Chief Oscar Elmasian and Public Works Director Steve Coutu agreed the collaboration between their departments was among the finest each has been a part of during their long years of service to the city.
East Providence was hit with near two feet of snow over the last 36 hours. Schools were closed Tuesday and will remain shuttered through Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Mr. Coutu said after speaking with MTG Disposal, the city’s refuse contractor, that trash collection, postponed during the storm, is scheduled to begin again for those residents with regular Tuesday pick-ups at approximately 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Chief Parella said he will consult with Mr. Coutu at some point soon, but that the parking ban in effect since 6 p.m. Monday night remains until at least noon on Wednesday.
“We worked very well with the highway and fire departments,” Chief Parella, a 25-year veteran of the force, added. “The synergy between the departments was the best I can ever remember during an event like this.”
Added Chief Elmasian, “The three of us, along with City Manager (Paul) Lemont, worked very well together. Everything went like clockwork.”
Approximately 50 Public Works vehicles were put into service for the storm. Sanding began as the snow hit Monday afternoon and plowing started shortly thereafter. Plows remained out in full force as snow tapered off late Tuesday evening.
“Our guys have done a great job,” said Mr. Coutu, who along with the vast amount of his staff were on the job Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. through Tuesday night.
“It’s still snowing, which is hard to believe,” he continued, speaking at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. “It’s a light snow, but a blowing snow. Even as we speak, we’re out there plowing, but the snow is blowing it right back covering the road.”
The EPPD had two of its own heavy duty vehicles equipped with plows in service during the storm to assist not only public works but also any police vehicles that got stuck, according to Chief Parella. Meanwhile, Chief Elmasian staffed each of the city’s plows with a firefighter to help in any response of a distressed resident and to assist with any shoveling needed to reach potential victims.
“Everything worked out perfect on our end,” Chief Elmasian said. “I think we were fortunate that the consistency of the snow was so light. It didn’t stick to trees or power lines.”
Chief Elmasian said National Grid did not report a single loss of power for any of its East Providence customers during the storm.
Both Chief Parella and Chief Elmasian also credited Gov. Gina Raimondo and state administrators for their rapid response to the storm, each agreeing it helped out locally.
“With the governor issuing the state of emergency so early, I think it kept people off the roads and out of harm’s way,” Chief Elmasian said.
Chief Parella reported there were no major accidents or criminal incidents in the city during the storm, acknowledging the early state of emergency call was likely a factor in the lack of accidents as well.
“Everything went just about as well as it possibly could, and that’s an indication of preparedness, which is the key to having a positive outcome,” Chief Parella added. “A lot of it was variable, but chance is always overcome by being prepared, which was the case here this time.”