Central Falls, congressional leaders celebrate new city fire engine

CENTRAL FALLS, RI (October 18, 2024) – One of the densest cities in America and hardest hit communities globally through the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Central Falls’ dire need for a new fire engine could not be overstated. That need was met Monday thanks to funding championed by Rhode Island congressional leaders and the USDA, allowing the city to celebrate a new state-of-the-art fire engine.

After the city’s three-decade old fire engine failed annual testing, the Fire Department has been relying on just two engines – including one that’s also decades-old and continuously breaking down and coming offline for repairs. Responsible for thousands of calls annually, the tremendous over-use stress on these two vehicles has become a growing safety and liability threat, and a heavy financial burden.

“I’m sure we all remember the dark days of COVID – but no one experienced its impact quite the same as our Central Falls Fire Department. As the hardest hit community in our state – and at one point the entire world – the 911 calls and response runs were endless. All while the Department was relying on decades-old, failing fire engines that kept breaking down, were totally unreliable, and becoming a growing liability and cost burden,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera during Monday’s ceremony. “I want to give a special thanks to our Congressional leaders who helped make funding for this engine possible through American Rescue Plan Act dollars, along with the USDA who generously provided our city with the remaining needed funds. This new engine will help our first responders continue their life-saving work and keep our community safe.”

The city allocated a portion of its American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward purchasing the engine, and the remaining funds were provided by a USDA Rural Development grant.

“With this new Engine Truck being generously funded by both a USDA grant and also Federal APRA funds, the Central Falls Fire Department will have the newest technology built for fire trucks,” said Central Falls Fire Chief Scott Mello. “This will ensure that the firefighters will have a piece of equipment that will help them deliver the type of quality service they provide on a daily basis.”    

“Our firefighters courageously serve and protect our communities every day and they deserve the best equipment available to keep them safe and enhance their ability to get the job done,” said Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. “I am proud to work with my colleagues in the federal delegation to deliver critical funds to upgrade Central Falls’ firefighting fleet with the purchase of this brand new fire truck.”

“Congratulations to Mayor Rivera and Chief Mello on today’s addition to the Central Falls Fire Department fleet,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “The new truck will help keep Central Falls residents and firefighters safe, and I was pleased to help secure this funding for the City through Democrats’ landmark American Rescue Plan.”

 “Thanks to historic investments by the Biden-Harris administration that enabled Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, a $1 million grant allowed our partnership with Central Falls in support of the community’s emergency service needs,” said Scott J. Soares, USDA Rural Development State Director for Southern New England. “This award serves not only as testimony to the creativity of Central Falls but also a true reflection of the opportunity and ability for USDA Rural Development to strengthen the resilience of the communities we serve.”

“With the purchase of Engine Company 2, this addition to the fleet now makes our Central Falls Fire Department’s front-line apparatus less than 10 years old,” said Central Falls Fire Lieutenant Daniel Petrin. “The firefighters that staff this apparatus will be able to provide EMS life safety assistance and high-quality fire suppression to the city residents and its visitors for many years to come.”