Polisena Seeks Rescue Reimbursement

Providing mutual rescue aid to Providence is taking Johnston rescue squads out of the town too often, "somewhat jeopardizing" Johnston residents, according to Mayor Joseph Polisena.

The mayor has joined his counterparts from North Providence and East Providence in telling the capital city they can no longer send their emergency medical technicians and fire rescue trucks to Providence without reimbursement. Polisena has for $500 per rescue run into the city, which would come either from the patient's medical insurance or the city of Providence itself.

"We're just looking to be compensated. I think $500 is more than fair," Polisena said. "They claim they have no money. But we have no money. Johnston taxpayers can no longer afford to subsidize the city of Providence."

The mayors held a news conference Tuesday to quell rumors that they will cut off emergency service to Providence, the Providence Journal reported. Polisena said Johnston made nearly 500 rescue runs into Providence, each costing more than $1,000. In the same time span, the Providence Fire Department provided mutual aid to Johnston just 23 times. Costs add up even more when the runs occur during shift changes, forcing the town to pay overtime, the mayor said. Worse is the potential cost to patients, Polisena said, as the average response time for emergencies increases when Johnston rescues are busy in the city.

Polisena has asked the city of Providence to respond to the request within 30 days, either by agreeing to pay for Johnston's rescue runs or adding more rescues to lessen the need for mutual aid. He said he hasn't heard from the city since making the request about two weeks ago.

"I think they looked at me like I had two heads," Polisena said of making the proposal. "Let's wait and see what happens."