Representative Patricia Morgan filed a motion with Superior Court Judge Brian Stern Thursday evening requesting authorization to present an alternative emergency service plan for Central Coventry residents during Friday's hearing at Kent County Courthouse.
"The plan discussed earlier involving mutual aid was one that I considered temporary - one that would take care of the safety needs of the people while the fire district is reorganizing," she said on Thursday night.
Morgan explained that after doing some Internet research, she decided to contact a Connecticut-based private ambulance service with 200 employees, some Coventry residents, who provide emergency services to many towns in Eastern CT as well as Foxwoods Casino. After she explained CCFD's situation, the company provided Morgan with a preliminary proposal offering two, fully-equipped ambulances manned with Cardiac-level EMTs, that would provide 24/7 emergency service for six months at a cost of $250,000. If allowed by the court and/or Special Master, the company would also be willing to discuss leasing several of the district's existing fire stations to operate out of.
"For six months while we're developing a new governing system, the people of Central Coventry would have the emergency services they need," Morgan said. "This option might even be attractive to the creditors as the leasing option would be bringing money into the district."
It should be noted that the private company would provide only emergency services, which make up the vast majority of calls received by Central Coventry. The district would continue to rely on mutual aid for fire service.
Morgan also pointed out that at past court hearings, fire officials from neighboring districts have stressed that CCFD's reliance on mutual aid, even temporarily, would be difficult to maintain and would not provide the same level of service to residents as they received in the past.
"I think through recent voting results, the residents clearly sent the message that they were tired of mismanagement and wanted their service to be less expensive," said Morgan. "Carving Central Coventry up and assigning it to other districts, including Anthony Fire District, which has the highest tax rate in Rhode Island, would be contrary to what they indicated they wanted."
"Think of the money difference. We can do it affordably and provide for the residents' safety," she continued. "All of us are worried about something bad happening while the CCFD is going through liquidation. I think this plan would work temporarily, until the time comes when residents can have their choice. The people have a right to come up with their own plan that will provide a cheaper solution. This is about letting the people decide their future."
Morgan also announced that she has been developing an ad hoc committee, consisting entirely of Central Coventry residents, that will break into sub-committees to study different organizational models for fire and emergency needs. The members would then meet to discuss and weigh the options that they found in hopes of eventually writing a charter reflecting what they consider to be the best options for the district long-term.
Currently, there are approximately 35 individuals involved in the committee, but Morgan said she would like to have about 100 residents taking part.