Response to “True Heroes of Sandy”

After reading Andrew Reilly’s letter to the editor “the true heroes” of Hurricane Sandy, I felt that I could not let the misinformation contained in his letter go unchallenged.

While I understand his frustrations, for I, too, was without power for eight and a half days and scrambling to find gas for both my car and my generator, I find it hard to call myself a hero.

I have trouble understanding his attack on our Ambulance Service and Fire Department. Andrew Reilly apparently is under the impression that the people in our Ambulance Service and Fire Department are paid.

For he said in his letter “fire fighters and first responders, all of who are being paid by the tax payers (these guys are getting paid the big bucks just for doing their jobs).”

Both our Ambulance Service and Fire Department are manned by 100 percent volunteers. They are not paid but instead give their time providing help to people like you and me.

Whether it be a fire, a heart attack or a car accident they drop what they are doing and go to help. They do not get paid nor do they get reimbursed for the gas they use when they respond.

I have been a Warwick resident for 32 years and the fire taxes that I have paid go to maintain and purchase equipment and buildings.

Possibly Andrew Reilly is new to Warwick and doesn’t realize that is how the fire tax is used.

The night of Hurricane Sandy, our Ambulance Service and our Fire Department would have been responding to medical emergencies, wires down, fires, car accidents, etc., while putting themselves in jeopardy.

I feel that Andrew Reilly owes an apology to the men and women who volunteer their time and service protecting all the residents of Warwick.

Michael Rega

Warwick