President Mark St. Pierre presented the Rhode Island State Firefighters League’s "Lifetime Achievement Award" to Thomas Walden, currently a member of the South Foster Fire Department. The award was presented at the RISFFL Presidents Dinner held at Bell Restaurant on Wednesday, October 9th.

Walden, began his career with the Smithfield Fire Department from 1974-1979. In 1979 he was appointed to the Providence Fire Department where he served on the Special hazards and attained the rank of Lieutenant before retiring in 2009.

After retirement from Providence, Walden joined the Foster Center Fire Department where he served as Deputy-Chief and eventually Fire Chief. He also held the positions of Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Fire Company. He would later transfer from Foster Center to the South Foster Fire Department where he currently serves as the Company Treasurer. He also served as Treasurer and EMT-C in the now inactive Foster Ambulance Corp.

Walden is affiliated with many organizations in many capacities. He also serves as treasurer of the Rhode Island State Firefighter League, the Woonasquatucket League, as well as a Chairman of the Rhode Island State Firefighters League’s Foundation & Charitable Trust. He serves as the Foster Emergency Management Director and Emergency Services Coordinator. He is also a member of the Rhode Island Urban Search & Rescue Team.

Walden is also active in many civic organizations such Save the bay, Audubon Society, RI Zoological Society, Foster Center Baptist Church as Treasurer, Hemlock Village Board of Directors as treasurer. He also still remains active with the Providence Permanent Firefighters Relief Association and Local 799.