It is with deepest regret that on behalf of Chief Scott W. Barber of the Richmond-Carolina Fire District we inform you of the Line of Duty Death (LODD) of Past Deputy Chief Robert T. Gardner Jr., 55 of the Carolina Fire Department. The Department and mutual aid responded Wednesday to a residential structure fire where DC Gardner was involved. He died at home early Thursday morning. Bob previously served also with Hope Valley Ambulance and the Charlestown Fire District.

On behalf of Chief Lee and the entire Rhode Island Southern Firefighter's League we send our thoughts and prayers to the Gardner family and the Carolina Fire Department. Please keep them in mind.

Arrangements for Chief Gardner's Services are as follows:

TO: All Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement Personnel DATE: January 29, 2023
FROM: Chief Scott W. Barber
RE: Logistics for Uniformed Personnel Honoring Past Deputy Chief Robert T. Gardner Jr.

The Richmond-Carolina Fire Department regrettably announces the line-of-duty death of Past Deputy Chief Robert T. Gardner Jr. A 17 year member of our Department, a Past Captain of the Charlestown-Richmond Fire Department, and a former volunteer with the Hope Valley Ambulance Squad.

Logistics for participating uniformed personnel in the services to honor the Chief are as follows:

Wake: Wednesday February 1st, 2023 Avery Funeral Home- 3 Bank Street Hope Valley, RI
Uniformed walkthrough will take place at 1800. The Wake will run from 14:00-19:00.

All Uniformed Personnel are requested to stage at Dow Field located at 1118 Main Street by 1730 hours for an 1800 hour walkthrough.

Uniform of the day will be full Class A dress uniform, covered badge with mourning band, and white gloves. On-duty units can wear the appropriate on-duty uniform of the day.

Funeral: Thursday February 2nd, 2023 HL Arnold Public Safety Complex-
Carolina Fire Station #61 208 Richmond Townhouse Road (Route 112) 11:00

Uniformed personnel are requested to assemble at Washington County Fairgrounds located at 78 Richmond Townhouse Road to be shuttled to the Funeral at the Fire Station beginning at 09:00. Personnel must be in place at the Fire Station by 10:30. Shuttles will return to staging following the funeral service.

The funeral with full Fire Department honors will take place beginning at 11:00 at the Fire Station. Committal will be private & held at a later date.

Uniform of the day will be full Class A dress uniform, covered badge with mourning band. On-duty units can wear the appropriate on-duty uniform of the day.

Honor Guards are welcomed & are encouraged to participate on Thursday for the funeral service. We request no outside fire apparatus for the day of the funeral service.

RI LAST personnel will be assisting with funeral arrangements. Please look to them for guidance. Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of support to us and our Department.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to:
Funeral- RI LAST- Asst. Chief Chris Koretski 401-258-4969 ckoretski@watchhillfire.com
Fire Coverage- Kingston Fire Chief Tom Reed 401-255-6489 tom.reed@kingstonfire.net

Respectfully,

Chief Scott W. Barber