Protecting Those Who Step Up When Crisis Strikes

When disaster hits—whether it’s a hurricane, flood, or fire—we all count on a special kind of person to show up: the ones who run toward danger while the rest of us seek shelter. These are our emergency responders, our volunteer architects and engineers inspecting buildings after a storm, our skilled tradespeople assessing structural damage. Many of them aren’t state employees. But their contributions are just as essential—and they deserve to be treated that way.

That’s why I introduced House Bills 5155 and 5157, both of which recently passed the Rhode Island House with unanimous, bipartisan support. These bills are about something very simple: fairness, recognition, and protection for those who put their expertise and safety on the line to help the rest of us during emergencies.

House Bill 5155 ensures that architects and design professionals volunteering during declared disasters are granted the same legal protections and benefits as state employees. These professionals are often called in to assess damaged structures and ensure buildings are safe for re-entry. Without their work, communities can’t rebuild. But right now, many of them hesitate to assist because they’re not guaranteed any protection—despite acting in good faith and under the authority of emergency management officials.

House Bill 5157 expands that same protection to all disaster response workers, not just architects. If you are out there helping restore power, clear roads, stabilize bridges, or provide emergency shelter—you deserve to know that the state has your back. You should not have to worry about legal liability or lack of coverage while serving the public in times of crisis.

These bills don’t cost the state money. What they do is remove barriers to service and send a clear message: If you are stepping up for Rhode Island, Rhode Island will stand with you.

We learned from disasters like the Station Nightclub fire and Superstorm Sandy that emergency response doesn’t just come from uniformed personnel. It takes a whole network—people with technical skills, compassion, and courage. That’s the spirit behind these bills.

We also need to acknowledge the broader truth: climate change is real, and severe weather events are becoming more frequent. Our emergency response system must grow more resilient—and that means attracting and protecting the full range of professionals who play a role in disaster recovery. These bills are one part of a larger effort to modernize how we prepare for and respond to emergencies.

I’m grateful to my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who supported these bills. The fact that they passed unanimously tells me that no matter our politics, we agree that when people volunteer to help Rhode Island in its darkest hours, we should never leave them vulnerable.

The bills now head to the Senate. I urge my colleagues there to act swiftly, because next time disaster strikes, we’ll need every willing hand—and we need to make sure those hands are protected.