Warwick Police & Fire Chiefs Joining Mayor In ALS Soak Challenge

WARWICK, RI — When Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi has ice water poured on his head in the coming weeks, he won't be alone — Fire Chief Peter McMichael and Police Chief Brad Connor will undergo the same treatment.

Picozzi is participating in the ALS CEO Soak Challenge, and he's been beating the drum on Facebook. The challenge supports the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, the degenerative and fatal neurological disease.

Picozzi took to Facebook this week to announce that McMichael and Connor are joining him in the fundraising challenge:

"I know that no one wants to see a nice guy like me get ice water poured on my head () but I’m willing to bet that more than a couple of firefighters and cops would enjoy seeing it happen to the chiefs," Picozzi wrote.

The mayor said the goal is $2,500, "but I want to blow way past that." He said Warwick is competing with other cities and towns, and that he's confident local residents "will display their awesome generosity for which you are renowned."

Teams are advised to videotape their soaking event. The top ten teams in Rhode Island will get soaked on the air on NBC 10 WJAR for the grand fundraising finale on August 5, according to the ALS Association Rhode Island Chapter.

ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and more than 5,000 people are diagnosed every year, the association states. There is currently no cure, although four drugs are approved by the FDA to treat the disease. ALS is marked by a progressive loss of muscle control, eventually causing the loss of ability to speak, swallow, walk, and breathe. It's estimated that $2 billion would be needed to develop a drug to stop or slow the progression of the disease.

The 1st Annual CEO Soak is a re-imagined version of the Ice Bucket Challenge, and it aims to engage corporate and civic leaders to "get soaked." Funds raised will support care services, research to find a cure, and advocacy efforts.

Those who wish to support the Warwick effort are directed to the mayor's fundraising page.