Crime & Safety

Fire Station Reconstruction Cash Saved

East Providence Fire Chief Oscar Elmasian credits Sen. Jack Reed for coming to the rescue of the city for the FEMA cash.

East Providence taxpayers will not be on the hook after all for the remaining cost of the reconstruction projects at two fire stations.

Fire Chief Oscar Elmasian reported to the City Council on Tuesday evening, Oct. 1, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has given the city 6 more months to complete the work.

Construction was supposed to have been completed soon, and missing the deadline for use of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money threatened the loss of the funds, Elmasian said.

“They have been restored,” the fire chief told the City Council of the $2 million still needed to complete the $6 million project. “We will be able to finish the project.” 

Elmasian gave credit for the restoration of the funds to Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, who recently toured the fire stations.

“I was in Washington recently and I personally thanked Sen. Reed,” Elmasian said. “We are very lucky to get this extension.”

The city is reconstructing and expanding Fire Station 1 on Broadway and Fire Station 4 on the Wampanoag Trail. Work on Fire Station 4 is expected to be be completed some time this month. Work on Fire Station 1 has lagged behind, but is expected now to be finished in less than half a year.


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