Fourth-generation town firefighter, EMT announces run for council

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BURRILLVILLE – An EMT, volunteer firefighter and clinical supervisor for Well One has announced her bid for the Burrillville Town Council, and hopes to continue her work fighting drug and alcohol addiction if elected to the board.

Amanda Gingell, 33, of 45 Maple Dr. in Harrisville is running as a Democrat for one of four open seats on the council.

A lifelong town resident, Gingell is a fourth generation firefighter, and 2003 graduate from Burrillviile High School.

Gingell said she said she decided to run for council after consulting with family and role models.

“I have been asked in the past to run, so it is always something I have had on my mind and this time it just seemed right,” she said.

Gingell attended Nichols College and Rhode Island College, and received her bachelor’s in Health Administration from the  University of Phoenix. She also received a medical assistance diploma from Lincoln Technical Institute, and is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and CPR/First Aid Instructor. She is a board certified incident safety officer and certified level 1 & 2 firefighter, who has completed training and executive leadership coursework through the National Fire Academy.

Gingell served as the head teacher for Burrillville Extended Care from 1999-2004 and has been the clinical supervisor for Well One since 2005.

She has been an active member of the Harrisville Fire Department for 18 years, and currently serves as the department’s safety officer. She is also an active member of the Burrillville Prevention Action Collation, and has shared her stories of facing addiction as a first responder and administering the life-saving drug NARCAN.

Gingell was the recipient of the Rhode Island of Department of Health’s Volunteer Basic EMT of the Year Award, and was a state of Rhode Island’s International Women’s Day honoree in 2017. She received Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Victim Services Award earlier this year and MADD state Executive Director Gabrielle Abbate introduced her.

“She shares her stories of life’s realities as a means of motivation that keeps people working hard to promote safety and community awareness,” Abbate added. “She makes everyone who knows and works with her better people and she makes Burrillville a stronger and more active community on behalf of safety.”

Gingell said if she is elected to the council, she hopes to continuing working with BPAC to educate the community about addiction and fight against substance abuse.

“My top priority is to represent the members of the community in any situation that may arise,” Gingell told NRI NOW.

Gingell has also served in leadership roles in the fire department’s social group, the Harrisville Fire Hose Company, and is the current president. She was president of the Northern Rhode Island Firemen’s League in 2013 and 2014, and was a member of the Downtown Pascoag and Neighborhood Association, serving as secretary for four years.

Gingell is the mother of  7-year-old Kennadie.

NRI NOW is offering all local candidates the opportunity to announce their campaigns and platforms. Interested candidates should contact sandy@nrinow.news prior to September 1 deadline.

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