Town and fire officials will put a third rescue vehicle into service starting Feb. 15, a move intended to realign staff to more readily meet modern safety needs and address increased demand for increased service.
Asked about the plan this week, Mayor Charles Lombardi said he’s been “kicking it around for a while,” particularly as calls for rescue service have continued to climb and needs on the fire side have diminished with greater fire safety standards and technology.
“Right now it’s become a grave concern,” he said.
There were a total of 606 rescue calls last year where North Providence needed outside help from surrounding departments such as Pawtucket, Smithfield, Lincoln and Johnston, said Lombardi. Rescue calls account for some 80 percent of the total calls for service to the fire department.
“My concern is our taxpayers had to wait an additional five to 10 minutes for a rescue truck,” he said. “As the public safety director, I’m just going to address that, it concerns me.”