Firefighters In South Kingstown Provide Free Fire Extinguishers With Crash Victim's Family

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Union Fire District of South Kingstown Chief Steven Pinch and Kingston Fire District Chief Thomas Reed shared that first responders from both fire departments reunited with the family of a car fire victim and helped start a campaign to collect donations to provide South Kingstown residents with free fire extinguishers to keep in their vehicles.

A campaign launch for Moira’s Mission was held at the Kingston Fire District on Thursday, kicking off the effort. The campaign was launched in honor of Scotland native and longtime Charlestown resident Moira “Scotty” Perna, who died in a car fire after a crash while en route to a friend’s house on Sept. 21, 2020.

The campaign launch event drew together Perna's family and friends with the first responders who tried to save her in 2020, including those from the Union and Kingston Fire Districts, the South Kingstown Police Department, South Kingstown Emergency Medical Services and others from the surrounding area.

The reunion and the launch of “Moira’s Mission” was facilitated by Universe Juice, a nonprofit founded by Narragansett resident Lisa Brunetti. The Universe Juice founder is close friends with one of Perna’s daughters, Lisa Lynch. Brunetti was also inspired to establish the nonprofit endeavor through her own experience of surviving a head-on collision with a drunk driver in 2022, then later meeting the first responders who rescued her.

"I want to personally say thank you to all the men and women who tried to save the life of our mother and who save the lives of others every day," Lynch said. "Moira’s Mission was a vision of mine after the gentleman behind my mother at the time of the accident sought me out on Facebook to see if I was okay and to say how sorry he was for not being able to help save my mother. He said to me, ‘If only I had a fire extinguisher in my car, I could have tried to save your mother’s life.' I would like others in my community to have the chance to help out and try to save the life of someone else."

"I don’t want anyone to go through what my sister and I have gone through if it can be helped," Lynch added. “That is one of the many reasons I created ‘Moira’s Mission,’ to help others.”

Fire officials said Moira’s Mission has already collected donations for 100 car fire extinguishers, and they are now being distributed with the help of the Union Fire District of South Kingstown and the Kingston Fire District. Lynch personally donated 30 of the car fire extinguishers.

Union Fire District Fire Marshal Dennis Bernier said South Kingstown residents can receive a free car fire extinguisher by going to the fire station at 131 Asa Pond Road. The fire extinguishers are being provided to town residents starting from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. on weekdays, beginning Monday.

A $15 donation to Universe Juice is suggested to help ensure that others are also able to receive a free fire extinguisher for their car. The free fire extinguishers are available while supplies last, based on the amount of donations received. Donations can be made online or through the nonprofit's account on Venmo, @UniverseJuice.

Bernier also explained how the handheld fire extinguishers come with a mounting bracket, to ensure easy access in an automobile. He also explained how the fire extinguishers can be used in the case of a car fire.

"Once it's mounted in the vehicle, you'll know where it is, and it won't come loose until it's needed,” Bernier said. “You'll pull the pin, you'll aim the extinguisher at the fire or in the vicinity of it, you'll squeeze the trigger, probably about three to four feet back, and sweep from side to side.”

Brunetti said the reunion and launch of Moira’s Mission was “extra special” for her, since it was the first reunion she facilitated outside of her own, and she hopes that it will help Scotty’s family with healing and shine a light on the important issue of car fire safety. Brunetti said the long-term goal of “Moira’s Mission” would be to spread to surrounding areas and then throughout the state of Rhode Island.

"My hope is this can provide some healing and peace to the family," Brunetti said. “Today, I think, did that for them, as well as for some of the first responders. I feel as though being able to take Moira’s name and to make it into a legacy that her family can be proud of is just amazing.”

Beth Logue, another daughter of Perna, who was in attendance for the reunion and Moira’s Mission campaign launch, said the event was “therapeutic,” allowing her, her sister and friends to be able to meet the first responders face-to-face. Logue also said she believes her mother is looking down from heaven, joyful and proud for all who are involved.

“I’m sure she’s doing the Scottish jig up there,” Logue said. “She’s just beaming with joy that this is in her honor and memory. I think it’s a massive win and a tribute to my mom. She would love it.”

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