VIDEO: From now until Columbus Day, some Providence firefighters are giving up their rescues for pedal power.
Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva said their department's Emergency Medical Services bicycle program returned last week and expanded.
"Last year we initiated a pilot program to provide opioid prevention for overdoses, first aid, and mental health support," said Silva. "So that we weren't utilizing the seven advanced life support rescues that we have." Silva said last year's trial ran from mid-August to mid-October with two bikes working the Kennedy Plaza area. EMTs and firefighters on these bikes were dispatched to roughly 44 calls during the nine-week trial period.
Silva said in 2022, the department received 24,118 advanced life support (ALS) calls. In 2023, it was 22,632, a roughly 15% decrease.