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PrintThe Hiller Instinct: Trial by Fire
When the fire in West Warwick started, Rhode Island's new governor was in Florida on his first vacation in more than a year.
"This is the last thing you'd ever think of... last thing that would ever cross your mind, that something this devastating to so many people..."Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) Rhode Island
The morning after the fire, Carcieri was on the scene at the station…
"My first thought when I saw it, it looked like 9-11, in a more confined space."Gov. Donald Carcieri
The comparison evoked images not only of the World Trade Center, but also of former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani and President Bush, both of whom were praised for their crisis management…
Carcieri says he didn't think of them…
Gov. Donald Carcieri
"Yeah, I just sort of said this is me, you know, you go... assess it."
His business experience was a benefit…
"Yeah, that background and training I'm sure helped me a lot, because I never viewed this as a political thing."Gov. Donald Carcieri
Maybe that's why he seemed so human…
"I don't want any expense spared here, in terms of resources, to come to bear, to get closure for the families that are impacted."Gov. Donald Carcieri
Carcieri became a TV fixture, updating his state and the nation about a story that sometimes overwhelmed him:
"At times, emotionally, you just have to get it done, you know, you've got a job to do, and do the best you can, and you know, a few nights I collapsed, pretty tired."Gov. Donald Carcieri
Andy Hiller
"Did you cry?"
"Sure, you couldn't not cry."Gov. Donald Carcieri
When Carcieri was running for governor, he said during a debate:
"I'm ready to do this job. What I want to do is one thing -- one simple thing, I want to make all of you proud."Gov. Donald Carcieri
I ask if he thinks the state is proud of him now…
"I could think I was great or I could think I was lousy. That isn't important... It's the fact the state, at a very difficult time, came together."Gov. Donald Carcieri
The head of Rhode Island's Red Cross says the governor was the glue…
"He never lost his cool, he kept focused on the task and yet he was filled with overwhelming compassion for the families."Barbara McCann, Ceo, RI Red Cross
The governor's wife, who was his high school sweetheart, told me she's not surprised how well he's coping with a crisis so soon after taking political office for the first time. "He's good hearted and tough minded," she says" ...and my first impression is she's right.