By Abbey Niezgoda
aniezgoda@abc6.com
They are calling it a line in the sand. Mayors from Johnston, North Providence and East Providence have all agreed to cut off mutual aid to Providence come the end of August.
"60 days from today," Mayor Joseph Polisena announced. "The town of Johnston will no longer respond to rescue calls in the city of Providence."
Each of their crews respond to upwards of 500 rescue calls in Providence each year. In return, Providence comes to help them an average of 30 times.
"Just because they are the capital city, we shouldn't have to go broke helping them," Polisena said.
They gave Providence 30 days to come up with a solution to this last month. In that time, they say nothing has been done so this is the last resort, even if it means not coming to the rescue when someone in Providence needs help.
"Believe me life is precious," Polisena said. "But it's not my problem in Providence."
Commissioner Pare blasted the announcement.
"Well unfortunately if that's his decision, that's not what public safety is about," Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare said.
Pare says there is no money to compensate the other communities for each call or buy another rescue truck.
"Everyone is under a financial crunch," Pare said. "But to make a business decision and put someone's life at risk isn't the way to go."
