Vote David Laudati for South Kingstown Town Council David Laudati Independent Candidate for Town Council To the voters of South Kingstown: In my opinion, in order for the Town of SK to be better served by its fire and EMS services, significant changes must be made to current operations. As detailed previously, it is my opinion that the town government must take over operations from the fire districts. In doing so, a larger percentage of tax revenues can be redirected so that they are expended on EMSs operations that more directly address the needs, safety and welfare of the public. Waste must be eliminated. The Town of SK has changed considerably over the years. Our population, including the University of Rhode Island and summer visitors/residents, is at about 50,000 (reference Town of SK budget document page 1-6). While the census bureau cites a number closer to 30,000, public safety assets must be capable of providing services to the true number of inhabitants present on a daily basis. People call "911" for emergency assistance 4700 times a year, or about 13 times per day. As is true in Rhode Island and indeed throughout the nation, 75% of those requests for assistance are medical in nature. Presently, we have two Paramedic transport vehicles in operation. One is located at SKPD at the corner of Kingstown Rd. and Curtis Corner Rd. The second one is at the old police station on U.S. Rte. 1, located behind South County Hospital. While neither location is ideal, the second one (which also houses the SK Dept. of Public Services) is in a particularly bad location. First, it is located on a 4-lane divided highway. The driveway leads directly onto Rte. 1 into 60+ mph traffic. It is located too far to the east; it is close to the Narragansett town line. In order to determine optimal locations for fire/EMS stations, we must consider where the population centers of the town are located. Most people in SK live east of Ministerial Rd.; west of Rte. 1; and south of URI, right down to our three south shore communities that are Green Hill Matunuck, and Snug Harbor. In order for fire and EMS operations to be effective, response times must be short. Equipment and personnel must be pre-positioned throughout the community, among the population. When someone needs emergency assistance, time is of the essence. Proper placement of equipment is of utmost importance. I feel that a third Paramedic transport vehicle must be added. I would place the three units as follows: in the Kingston fire station; in a new Peace Dale fire station, to be built in the same location as the current Peace Dale station; and in a new Matunuck station, located on Matunuck Beach Rd. near the intersection of Rte. 1. If the town were divided into three equally sized districts, with approximately equal populations, these locations are in a central location in each of the three respective districts. This would minimize both distance to be traveled and time taken to arrive at any given address. In my next letter, I will detail how significant cost savings can be achieved. I will detail the number of people needed to operate the system I am proposing. I will also discuss financial information and reveal what the ultimate cost will be to the individual taxpayer. Thank you. I ask for your support on November 3. David Laudati Independent candidate for Town Council Political Ad Paid For By David Laudati Vote David Laudati for South Kingstown Town Council David Laudati Independent Candidate for Town Council To the voters of South Kingstown: In my opinion, in order for the Town of SK to be better served by its fire and EMS services, significant changes must be made to current operations. As detailed previously, it is my opinion that the town government must take over operations from the fire districts. In doing so, a larger percentage of tax revenues can be redirected so that they are expended on EMSs operations that more directly address the needs, safety and welfare of the public. Waste must be eliminated. The Town of SK has changed considerably over the years. Our population, including the University of Rhode Island and summer visitors/residents, is at about 50,000 (reference Town of SK budget document page 1-6). While the census bureau cites a number closer to 30,000, public safety assets must be capable of providing services to the true number of inhabitants present on a daily basis. People call "911" for emergency assistance 4700 times a year, or about 13 times per day. As is true in Rhode Island and indeed throughout the nation, 75% of those requests for assistance are medical in nature. Presently, we have two Paramedic transport vehicles in operation. One is located at SKPD at the corner of Kingstown Rd. and Curtis Corner Rd. The second one is at the old police station on U.S. Rte. 1, located behind South County Hospital. While neither location is ideal, the second one (which also houses the SK Dept. of Public Services) is in a particularly bad location. First, it is located on a 4-lane divided highway. The driveway leads directly onto Rte. 1 into 60+ mph traffic. It is located too far to the east; it is close to the Narragansett town line. In order to determine optimal locations for fire/EMS stations, we must consider where the population centers of the town are located. Most people in SK live east of Ministerial Rd.; west of Rte. 1; and south of URI, right down to our three south shore communities that are Green Hill Matunuck, and Snug Harbor. In order for fire and EMS operations to be effective, response times must be short. Equipment and personnel must be pre-positioned throughout the community, among the population. When someone needs emergency assistance, time is of the essence. Proper placement of equipment is of utmost importance. I feel that a third Paramedic transport vehicle must be added. I would place the three units as follows: in the Kingston fire station; in a new Peace Dale fire station, to be built in the same location as the current Peace Dale station; and in a new Matunuck station, located on Matunuck Beach Rd. near the intersection of Rte. 1. If the town were divided into three equally sized districts, with approximately equal populations, these locations are in a central location in each of the three respective districts. This would minimize both distance to be traveled and time taken to arrive at any given address. In my next letter, I will detail how significant cost savings can be achieved. I will detail the number of people needed to operate the system I am proposing. I will also discuss financial information and reveal what the ultimate cost will be to the individual taxpayer. Thank you. I ask for your support on November 3. David Laudati Independent candidate for Town Council Political Ad Paid For By David Laudati