Chief Robert Valentine was sworn in as the Groveland Fire Chief on Sunday, Dec. 1, with 39 years of experience in fire service. He began his career with the Saylesville Fire Department in Lincoln, Rhode Island in 1980.

The majority of Chief Valentine’s career in the fire service has been spent with the Albion Fire Department in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where he first joined as a firefighter in 1991. He became a Lieutenant in 1994, a Training Officer in 2004 and became the Department’s Deputy Chief in 2006.

Prior to his career with the Albion Fire Department, Chief Valentine served in the United States Air Force from 1982 to 1986.

He additionally is trained in numerous areas of fire service, including Municipal Management and Leadership, Tactics and Strategy of the Incident Commander, Commanding a May Day, Commanding a Rapid Intervention Team, Heavy Rescue Operations, Automobile Extrication, Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazardous Materials Technician Level, Confined Space Operations, Rope Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Fire Investigation, Arson Investigation, Origin and Cause Investigation, Electrical Fires Investigation, Fire and Explosion Investigation, Advanced Firefighter Safety and Survival, Fire and Life Safety Plans, Live Burn Instructor, Recruitment and Retention of volunteer firefighters, Advanced Scuba Diving, Dive International Rescue and more.