WARWICK – Chaplain Gary Lemery remembers the night of The Station nightclub fire. The scope of the West Warwick tragedy was apparent as soon as he arrived on scene.
The chaplain set to work ministering to victims, praying over the dead, and helping first responders deal with the stress of the situation. For 12 hours he worked, only leaving the scene when some Massachusetts chaplains arrived to relieve him.
The blaze left 100 people dead and more than 200 hurt, and even now is a source of pain for victims and those who witnessed the event as it unfolded.
"I was there to help firefighters through that night, to be there as a support," said Lemery, of T.F. Green Airport Crash Rescue. "It's a little bit of reassurance for them."
He talked about the difficult task rescuers faced, bringing out a victim and then turning around and repeating the task again and again.
The chaplain will discuss some of his experiences from that night during a panel discussion at the conference of the Federation of Fire Chaplains Oct. 18-23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings in Warwick. The panel will consider "how we care for first responders after something that horrific," for those individuals who "have been through hell."
“From grief to grace” describes a chaplain’s job when faced with a tragedy of any size, and it is the theme of the annual conference. About 100 chaplains and 40 spouses are expected at the event, which provides chaplains with the chance to share insight and learn more about their ministry.
Chaplains have been at almost every event of any significance, including natural disasters and 9/11 in 2001. But Lemery, a four-year member of the federation, was quick to add that there is no place for personal ego in the job. "We're kind of stealth. We operate under the radar, treating everyone with respect and dignity. We take a solid professional approach."
He said, "The tough thing is for the families of the firefighters, particularly in dealing with the anger that often appears," given the stresses of the job. "Firefighters and fire chiefs appreciate the fact that we are there."
Five years after The Station fire, the chaplain said his mind goes "blank" on some of the events that night. But he sees it as a natural progression, because a year or so after such a tragedy, "we as chaplains have to move on." He does maintain a solidarity with his department at Green Airport.
The chaplains conference will offer courses to members on Oct.18-19 and that Sunday night will show the movie “Fireproof.” In the film, Kirk Cameron plays a fire captain who is battling marital burnout.
In addition, the conference schedule will feature: Oct. 20, Chaplain Gary Lemery, who will talk about the historic figure Roger Williams and the concept of religious liberty; Oct. 21, Dr. Therese A. Rando of Richmond, who is known for her work in grief counseling and critical incident grief. The annual Memorial Service will be held at Church of the Transfiguration in Cranston the evening of Oct. 21. The membership will remember chaplains who have died, including those who perished in the line of duty.
The morning sessions on Oct. 22 will include Dr. Anne Balboni of Cranston, the coordinator of the RI Critical Incident Management Team. Within an hour of the outbreak of The Station fire, the team was there to provide support and that job continues. Balboni will talk about what works and what doesn’t at a tragedy of that size. A panel of chaplains and team members will offer their personal Station experiences. In the afternoon, Chaplain Joseph D’Angelo will give a spiritual view on recovery from addiction.
The conference hosts are Chaplains Ken Erickson and Father Bert Anderson, pastor of St. Rita Church in?Warwick, both of the Providence Fire Dept., Gary Lemery of T.F. Green Airport Crash Rescue, and Father Michael Leckie of the RI Association of Fire Chiefs and pastor of St. Joseph Church, Hope Valley.
The chaplains’ organization began as the Fellowship of Fire Chaplains in 1978 in Ft. Worth, TX. The name was changed in 1991, and the group is based in Clifton, TX. Executive Director/founder Ed Stauffer said the foundation has 867 members, including chaplains from all 50 States and Canada, as well as England, Germany, Australia and Peru.
The federation works “to bring together individuals and groups who are interested in providing effective chaplaincies for fire service organizations,” according to the Web site, firechaplains.org. Stauffer said, “The mission statement was written in 1978 and we (the members) have fulfilled it” and continue to do so.
Besides The Station fire, the Federation has responded whenever and wherever the need exists. In 2005, the group lent a hand after Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc in New Orleans and along much of the Gulf Coast. This year chaplains answered the call after Hurricane Ike pounded Galveston, TX, with heavy rain and winds of 110 mph.
