WARREN - Four years ago, when Warren donated a 1988 Ford Ranger Rescue to Guatemala City, little did town officials know it would serve as the primary emergency vehicle traveling directly behind the car containing the late John Paul II during his visit to Central America.
It was quite an honor, said Warren Fire Chief Galinelli, who was not there for the pontiff's visit, but did travel to Guatemala City later as a guest of grateful citizens. He was treated like royalty, he said.
The chief returned to town with the knowledge that the truck that had served Warren residents so well for so long was now the "best of the fleet" in a city where many live in poverty.
"It was an eye-opener," the chief said at the time.
Once again demonstrating its generosity, the Town of Warren is again donating a rescue truck no longer in use to the American Red Cross, Rhode Island Chapter.
Earlier this year, Chief Galinelli asked the town council, and later voters, to approve financing for a new rescue vehicle to replace the department's deteriorating 1994 Ford, Rescue #2, that had logged nearly 130,000 miles. The request was approved.
Since then, the truck has developed some mechanical problems, particularly with the air conditioning. Under state law, the rear compartment that transports patients must have heat and air conditioning. Chief Galinelli said it is not worth sinking a substantial sum into a truck that's being put out to pasture.
Around the same time mechanical troubles developed, an emergency technician who works for Warren rescue and teaches CPR for the American Red Cross in Providence, asked if the town would consider donating the truck — warts and all — to the agency. The town council and town manager agreed.
"It's a nice thing to do. It's the right thing to do,' said town manager Michael Abbruzzi.
The Red Cross is grateful," said Angie Moncada, the agency's director of communications. Not long ago, the cities of Pawtucket and Newport donated trucks. But there is always a need. The local Red Cross chapter serves people throughout state and vehicles that are donated are never new and do not usually last a long time.
"The truck from Warren will be used for local disaster response, primarily house fires, to bring supplies to victims," said Ms. Moncada. Those include blankets, cots, vouchers for clothing, comfort kits that contain toiletries, stuffed animals for children and other items.
More troubles
When the fire chief's request for $140,000 to buy a new truck was made in May, Rescue #2, which was being replaced, was still operational. The plan was to go out for bid, award the contract, and use the old truck for the approximately 10 months it would take for a new one to arrive.
That plan was foiled, however, when mechanics checking the air conditioning problem discovered that the head gaskets were worn and about to go.
"Before, there were no problems. Till a month ago, Rescue #2 was on the road," said Chief Galinelli. The truck's condition led to donate it.
Now Rescue 3, based at Narragansett Fire Station on Vernon Street, has developed front end problems. That's left only one rescue truck on the road in town. But more than once, multiple calls for emergency assistance have come in and Alert Ambulance and rescues from others towns have been called in for backup.
Last week, the council gave Chief Galinelli permission to bypass the bid process and purchase a new truck from Horton Emergency Vehicles in Attleboro to replace Rescue #2, rather than wait 10 months for a new truck to arrive. The vehicle meets all specifications, costs a bit less than the money appropriated, and best of all is a demo in stock. It should arrive shortly and be in service in about two weeks, the chief said.
Rescue fleet in flux
Now:
* Rescue #1 — housed at the Miller Street Rescue Station. The workhorse of the department remains operational.
* Rescue #2 — was housed at Rough & Ready Fire station, now off the road because of mechanical problems.
* Rescue #3 — housed at Narragansett Fire Statoin on Vernon Street. Currently undergoing repairs for an engine problem and is off the road for an undetermined period of time.
When the new 2005 Ford rescue arrives:
* It will be called Rescue #2 and will replace Rescue #1 at the Miller Street Station as he department's front line vehicle.
* Rescue #1 will be moved to the Rough & Ready Fire Station replacing the old Rescue #2 which will be donated to the American Red Cross.
* Rescue #3 will return to the Narragansett Fire Station when repairs are complete.
By Denise Kinney
dkinney@eastbaynewspapers.com