To the editor:

On behalf of Franklin Court Assisted Living, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our staff, residents, the Bristol Fire Department, BFD Ladies Auxiliary and Bristol Police Department for their incredibly quick response to the fire at Franklin Court Assisted Living on December 20th that resulted in saving the lives of over 80 elderly and disabled residents, staff and visitors.

Their bravery and swift action exemplify our community's dedication to everyone's safety and well-being. Thank you to the RI Dept. of Health, RI Healthcare Emergency Management, RI Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, RI Veterans Home, families and friends, who were instrumental in helping us get temporary placement of every single precious resident that night. We are thankful that no one was hurt or worse. Dawn Hill and Silver Creek Nursing homes in Bristol also offered their homes to help with further relocation, if needed.

In addition, we are grateful for the incredible support and dedication shown by the Bristol and local communities. The kindness, generosity, and volunteer spirit have significantly impacted the lives of our residents, providing comfort and a sense of belonging. We have received numerous donations and gifts to help our residents. Your contributions will not only enhance the quality of life for them but also strengthen the communal bonds that make Bristol a wonderful place to live and work.

We are making progress and restoration is underway with the goal of getting our residents back to their home at Franklin Court Assisted Living when it is safe. There is significant water and electrical damage making the building uninhabitable. In order to ensure everyone's safety, it was necessary to temporarily close the building to the public until further notice.

The success of our facility and the safety of our residents are testaments to the community's unwavering commitment to fostering an environment of care and respect for our elders and disabled persons.

We wish everyone a blessed Holiday Season and Happy New Year.

Angela Cabral, Administrator
Franklin Court Assisted Living

Diane Mederos, Executive Director
East Bay Community Development Corporation
180 Franklin St.