 | From left Asst. Chief Christopher Koretski of
the Watch Hill Fire Department, Chief Kettle,
Representative Spears, Chief Justin Lee of the Hope
Valley-Wyoming Fire District, Chief Tom Reed of the
Kingston Fire District and Chief John Mackay of the
Westerly Fire Department at Legislators’ Night on Jan. 22.
Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Southern Firefighters League. |
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award from the people who serve our community, risking their lives to protect our residents and keep our beautiful community safe,” said Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly).
“They should be the ones receiving our applause.”
Chief Andrew Kettle of Charlestown Ambulance-Rescue Service presented the award at the annual legislators’ dinner on Jan. 22 to Representative Spears, citing her work in the past legislative year to increase reimbursement rates for ambulance services and her ongoing leadership in providing mutual aid to the Block Island Fire & Rescue Department.
“I nominated Representative Spears due to her steadfast support of EMS and
fire personnel in our area,” said Chief Kettle. “Her work last year added $5
million to the state budget, half of it in matching federal funds, towards
ambulance reimbursement rates, which has been huge for the sustainability of
EMS in our area and across the state.”
The RI Southern Firefighters League is a membership organization of fire
districts, associations and departments, made up of an estimated 1,200
volunteer fire and EMS personnel, along with a few paid personnel.
Together they cover
approximately one third of Rhode Island’s square mileage. The league was
founded in 1954 with the purpose of coordinating mutual aid and radio
communications between members.
Since this founding
it has expanded its mission to include the joint purchasing of accident and
sickness insurance, regional training, joint purchasing of equipment and the
sharing of a dispatch center. |
