Woonsocket Fire Chief Gary Lataille to Retire In September

Mayor Leo T. Fontaine announced the retirement of  Woonsocket Fire Chief Gary L. Lataille this afternoon.

Lataille, a 28-year member of the Woonsocket Fire Department appointed as chief in March 2009 by Mayor Susan D. Menard, will retire effective Sunday, Sept. 1 2013.

"It is with great disappointment that I acknowledge Chief Lataille’s intention to retire from his service to our city.  He has been an enormous asset to this city and to me personally as we have had to deal with the tremendous difficulties of the last few years.  Under his very competent leadership, our Fire Department has successfully adapted to the many challenges brought upon us and the positive effects of his leadership will certainly be with this community for years to come.   Additionally, as EMA Director he was called upon to lead the city’s emergency response to such events as Hurricane Sandy and the Blizzard of 2013 earlier this year.   His administrative abilities allowed the city to deal with these situations effectively and efficiently and his efforts to communicate with our residents throughout these events was invaluable to our response efforts,” Fontaine wrote in a release sent to media this afternoon.

"For me, it's just time," said Lataille, who does not have a new job lined up. He said he intends to market his skills in management in the private sector after Sept. 1. 

“As Fire Chief during these challenging times, Gary has often had to make some very difficult decisions and that has not always made him very popular in different circles, but whether it was closing a fire station, or fighting for the new equipment that he felt was necessary,  he always did so in the best interest of the residents of the city and the men and women of the Woonsocket Fire Department.   Watching him function under such conditions gave me a great appreciation for the type of person that he is, and he certainly made my job as Public Safety Director easier thanks to his dedication to the Fire Department," Fontaine said.

When asked if the criticism he took as Fire Chief had anything to do with his decision to leave, "No. Not at all," Lataille said. 

"Gary has become a dear friend and though I am certain that we will remain so for years to come, he will certainly be missed by all those who have had the pleasure to know and work with him. I wish Chief Lataille the very best in whatever life brings him and on behalf of our community, I offer him our sincere gratitude and appreciation for his years of service,” said Fontaine.

Lataille said that while the Mayor was sad to see him go from a professional perspective, he was happy for the chief and his plans. "He reluctantly took it (Lataille's retirement notice)," Lataille said.

Lataille, 48, said he's still at an age where he has significant productive years to apply to his next endeavor, whatever that may be. He said he's happy about his decision. "I came in on my own terms. I'm leaving on my own terms," Lataille said. 

As Public Safety Director, Fontaine will begin the process of selecting the next Chief of the Woonsocket Fire Department.