Providence introduces two new rescue trucks secured through city and federal funds

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence Fire Department and Mayor Brett Smiley unveiled two new rescue trucks acquired through both local and federal funding.

The new vehicles were presented Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Providence Public Safety Complex.

Members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation were on hand, along with Providence Fire Department Chief Derek Silva and other city officials.

According to Providence City Hall Press Secretary Anthony Vega, the vehicles were paid for with a combined investment of $635,622 from city and federal funds.

The vehicle Rescue 3, which will be stationed at the Branch Avenue fire house, cost $317,811, paid for through the fire department’s EMS billings revenue.

Rescue 4 will be stationed at Washington Street, with the same price tag, and was purchased through a FEMA FY21 Assistance to Firefighters Grant and Providence city funding.

The federal grant contributed $235,334 and the city provided the remaining $82,477.

Rescue 3 and Rescue 4 are some of the busiest EMS vehicles in the country, according to Vega.

The two units responded to a total 12,179 calls in 2024.

“Rescue trucks are essential to the work our firefighters do every day, and these new vehicles will make a real difference in how we serve the community,” said Chief Silva.

“They provide greater reliability, safer conditions for our first responders and stronger support for neighborhoods across Providence. With the support of Mayor Smiley and our federal partners, we are better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to every emergency.”