Rhode Island Fire Music Therapy Project Final Report

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper documents the history of the Rhode Island Fire Music Therapy Project. In February 2003, The Station nightclub caught on fire, killing 100 people and injuring over 200 people. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the New England Region of AMTA joined together to provide services to the survivors and loved ones of the fire. Despite repeated efforts, the project was unsuccessful at providing services to those affected by the fire. The reasons for the lack of success for the project are explored. The paper concludes with recommendations for action by the individual members of AMTA and AMTA leadership in order to provide music therapy services to individuals affected by disasters and traumas in the future. Introduction On a cold February morning in 2003, New England and the country awoke to the news that a popular nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island, had caught on fire the previous night. Around 11 p.m. on February 20th, the band Great White started their act with the song Desert Moon at The Station nightclub (Eyewitness News, 2004). Over four hundred people had come to see Great White perform that evening. Within moments of the start of the display, the pyrotechnics ignited the sound proofing foam around the stage (Eyewitness News, 2004). The concertgoers rushed to the exits as the fire quickly spread. Within minutes, the entire building was burning. The fire claimed 100 lives, 96 at the scene (Eyewitness News, 2004). The victims included concertgoers and the guitarist from Great White. The fire injured over two hundred people; at least 164 people were hospitalized throughout New England (Eyewitness News, 2004). The Development of the Project On March 10, 2003, Andi Farbman, Executive Director of American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), contacted Michelle Glidden, President of the New England Region of AMTA (NER/AMTA). Farbman asked if there was interest and availability of music therapists in New England who could provide services to the victims and families of The Station fire. Officials from MusiCares Inc., a foundation of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, had expressed interest in the possibility of providing funds for music therapy services. Farbman proposed a feasibility study of the local mental health agencies, hospitals treating the survivors, and other involved agencies. Glidden emailed the NER/AMTA board about her phone call with Farbman, asking for volunteers. Initially, six NER/AMTA music therapists volunteered: Heather Bloam-Wagner, Nichole Boucher, Mollie Caravello, Lisa Summer, Karen Wacks, and I. On March 24, 2003, a conference call was held with the volunteers from the NER/AMTA, Andi Farbman, and Tami Zavislan. First, the call started with a discussion of each volunteer's experience and expertise. Second, the discussion turned to the history of music therapy's response to disasters including the earthquake in Northridge, CA, the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, the school shootings in Littleton, CO, and San Diego, CA, and the 9/11 disaster in New York City. Third, the group agreed that a needs assessment needed to be conducted, which would include analysis of the current psychosocial services being offered and other factors that would influence how music therapy services could be involved in the relief efforts. I volunteered to become the coordinator of the project. Fourth, the group discussed the possibility of MusiCares' or another organization's monetary support of the needs assessment and the project. The conversation ended with the action plan of Farbman, Zavislan, and me developing an outline for the needs assessment. More people joined the project over the next few weeks, including Jodi Levine. In addition, Michelle Forinash was added to serve as a liaison with the Executive Board of AMTA. The Initial Funding Efforts Unfortunately, over the next few weeks, the funding for the project never materialized. …