4 FEMA trucks to help BPT residents

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's a battle that's been brewing since yesterday. The mayor of the state's biggest city says the power company is not prioritizing it's most needy residents.

"We got to work on vulnerable populations first," Mayor Bill Finch said.

And he says the utility company, United Illuminating, is not doing enough to restore power to what he calls the high priority areas.

"I think their performance with critical populations is insufficient and with critical infrastructure it's insufficient. And I think we should pour crews into centers of cities with extra needs and get those taken care of first," Mayor Finch said.

"Are you happy with how they're doing right now," News 8's Ali Reed asked.

"No I want it changed, I want it different, I want it better," Mayor Finch said.

Earlier this morning United Illuminating's CEO responded back.

"I think we've done a very good job. We have 17 towns we have to work in, so we spread the resources. We gave a tree crew, a line crew, to each town, and then other resources have been working on the priorities that each town gave us. So we're going through that whole list, so, we spread it out pretty well. Bridgeport's a big city, obviously, it's largest in the state, so they're getting resources just like all the others. So, we are not, we show no prejudice for any town," UI's CEO Jim Torgerson said.

For many in the city of Bridgeport, power might not be restored until early next week. In that case FEMA has brought in 4 trucks filled with ready to eat meals and water, which city officials say they'll be distributing to residents over the next several days.

As of early this afternoon, officials said 25,000 city residents remained in the dark. With temperatures dropping, if you need blankets, food or any assistance contact the city at this number ________.

In the event that it does go longer, we have enough rations for folks that we're able to at least go out there and at least provide them something to eat, some water," Scott Appleby, the Director of Emergency Management in Bridgeport, said.