On July 1, The Day published a letter to the editor titled “Fire station out of service causes problems,” by Patricia Boyles.

In this letter to the editor, Miss Boyles references a medical emergency that occurred on June 14, and that her friend waited more than 10 minutes for the Chesterfield Fire Company’s ambulance to arrive on the scene from more than nine miles away.

A search of the Chesterfield Fire Company’s records reveals that the company was never dispatched to this call, nor did the company respond to this call, nor did any members of the company operate on the scene of this call.

The call was handled by an ambulance from Montville Fire Company No. 1.

Additionally, Miss Boyle’s letter to the editor states that Montville Fire Company No. 1’s station is closed; this is incorrect. Montville Fire Company No. 1’s station is not closed, nor has it been closed. Montville Fire Company No. 1’s station is open and operational, as it has been since 1931.

As well, Ms. Boyle’s letter to the editor asks “How can four men respond to a 42-square-mile town efficiently? Why aren’t we using all available resources?”

The 44.2 square miles served by the town of Montville Fire Service are not served by “four men.” The town of Montville is served 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by the dedicated men and women of the town of Montville Volunteer Fire Service. The four volunteer fire companies that make up the town of Montville Volunteer Fire Service provide around-the-clock emergency medical services and fire rescue service to our community, our neighbors and anyone else within the town, or wherever we may be called.

In fact, Miss Boyle’s friend was transported to the hospital by dedicated volunteer emergency medical technicians who serve the town of Montville Volunteer Fire Service.

Facts are important, especially when discussing matters of life and safety.

Steven Frischling is the Public Information Officer for the Chesterfield Fire Company.