Mayor Smiley, Chief Silva Roll Out New Providence Rescues Amid Rising Medical Demand
Rescue 8 and Rescue 9 mark the City’s first EMS new additions in over a decade, boosting response times and reducing reliance on mutual aid
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley, City Council President Rachel Miller and Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva today announced the official launch of two new “Impact Rescues” — Rescue 8 and Rescue 9 — the first expansion of the Providence Fire Department’s rescue fleet in more than 11 years. The new units will boost emergency medical response capacity during the city’s busiest hours and address rising demand for medical services.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Providence’s public safety system,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “By adding these new rescues, we are improving response times, supporting our firefighters and ensuring that residents receive high-quality emergency medical care when they need it most.”
With nearly 80% of Providence Fire Department (PFD) responses tied to emergency medical calls and more than 33,000 EMS runs each year, the new rescues are strategically scheduled to align with peak weekday demand. Rescue 8 will operate Monday through Thursday from 9AM. to 7PM, and Rescue 9 will run Tuesday through Friday at the same hours, providing overlapping coverage in the city’s highest-volume districts.
“These new rescues will give Providence’s world class firefighters and EMTs the tools they need to speedily respond to residents and visitors experiencing an emergency,” said City Council President Rachel Miller. “I am proud of the City Council’s collaborative efforts to update service vehicles to empower public safety workers.”
Chief Derek Silva emphasized the operational impact of the new units. “These rescues will ease pressure on our 24-hour companies, reduce the burden on our personnel, and help us keep more resources available citywide. This is a smart, data-driven investment in the safety and well-being of our community.”
The addition of Rescue 8 and Rescue 9 will:
- Improve response times in high-demand neighborhoods
- Increase overall EMS system reliability
- Reduce reliance on mutual aid from surrounding communities
- Provide better prehospital care and patient outcomes
- Support sustainable workloads for firefighters and rescue personnel
“Investing in our EMS system is investing in our residents’ health and quality-of -life,” added Mayor Brett Smiley. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to delivering efficient, high-quality city services and ensuring that Providence remains a leader in modern urban EMS.”
