WFD Using Mutual Aid for Rescue Calls While Repairing Ambulance Fleet

Fire Chief Gary Lataille wasn't kidding when he told the Woonsocket Budget Commission last week he needed money to keep his department's aging rescue fleet up to date — all the ambulances broke down Saturday.

"Everything failed at the worst possible time," Lataille said. Since it was Saturday, parts and repairs for the ambulances couldn't be arranged quickly, so the department called in mutual aid for the city's rescue calls.

The city's EMT crews have been sent out on the engine that's dispatched with every rescue call, Lataille said, and the mutual aid from Blackstone, Cumberland, Lincoln and North Smithfield was used for transport to the hospital. "Public safety has never been an issue throughout all of this," Lataille said. At most, he said, transport to a hospital has been slightly slowed by the wait for mutual aid response. 

Rescue 3 needed a $300 power assisted breaking system that couldn't be purchased over the weekend. Rescue 1 had a transmission problem, which is fortunately likely under warranty. Lataille said he's waiting word on what's wrong with the other two ambulances.

Rescue 1 was back in service by about 3 p.m. Monday, Rescue 2 was expected back in service by the end of the day Monday, and Rescue 3 is expected back in service by the end of the day today at the latest, Lataille said. Rescue 4 was just towed to a mechanic late yesterday, he said. 

The situation illustrates the need for funds for the department's vehicles. Lataille asked for permission to use rescue fee funds to pay for new equipment ($75,000 this year and $130,000 next year to pay for a new engine and new rescue) during the May 20 Budget Commission meeting. The matter was tabled for further discussion. Lataille will return to raise the question again during the next Budget Commission meeting, he said.