ATTLEBORO - More firefighters and more money have finally pushed Rescue 2 from part-time to full-time status, said Kim Allard, chairwoman of the city council's public safety committee.

"It's the first time since 1978 that we've had full-time second rescue," Allard told colleagues this week. "I'm very happy that this has happened."

The addition of five new firefighters last week, which brought the department to a full complement of 73, coupled with cash brought in from ambulance fees, has made the additional service possible, said Allard, who with Mayor Kevin Dumas has pushed for a full-time second rescue.

While the full-time status could slip from time to time because of staffing shortages due to injuries or vacations, the aim is to keep the rescue on duty all day and all night, Allard said.

"It's not perfect, there are some kinks to be worked out, but the goal is to keep it on 24/7," Allard said. Rescue 2 is based in the South Attleboro Station, and has only been in service an estimated 50 percent of the time because the department lacked the resources to staff the station's pumper, ladder and rescue simultaneously.

For example, if a ladder truck was needed on a call with the pumper, it would take the rescue out of service and vice-versa.

Fire Chief Ronald Churchill said only time and finances will tell if the second rescue can be maintained permanently.

"We'll wait and see," he said. "It all comes down to money."

All the firefighters hired last week are paramedics and two have already attended the fire academy making them eligible for immediate duty.

Rescue 2 was put in full-time service last Sunday, two days after the five new firefighters were sworn in during a ceremony at city hall.

"It's a good feeling," Allard said. "It's been one of my goals, and the mayor's goals, and the city's goals and it's happening."

Allard pushed to increase ambulance fees in 2003, and those have been raised twice to match fees allowed by Medicare. The fees have bolstered cash in the ambulance revolving fund by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The cash can't be used for salaries, but it can be used for overtime to provide emergency medical services.

Some of the money has been used to pay overtime to keep Briggs Corner Station open full-time. While the station doesn't have an ambulance, paramedics who man the engine provide emergency medical services when needed. GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.