San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Awards $146K
Last updated 7/30/2019 at 11:28pm
The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation (Fire Foundation) announced $51,000 in additional 2019 grants to local fire agencies to further improve the system of fire and emergency services in San Diego County. The Fire Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has donated $5.6 million during those years to make our citizens safer, including $146,000 to date in 2019.
“These grants enable fire departments to obtain needed fire, medical/rescue and communications equipment and training so our firefighters can deliver the highest level of service to all our communities,” said Fire Foundation Chairman Frank Ault.
Today’s grants fund the following equipment and training:
Alpine Fire Protection District: Radios and rescue air bags
Borrego Springs Fire Protection District: Rope Rescue Equipment
North County Fire Protection District: Firefighter Protective Clothing & Training
Ramona Fire Department: Physical Training Workout Equipment
$95,000 in grants awarded earlier this year supported the entire region, including mobile data computers for 33 fire engines in rural San Diego County and detailed map books to reduce response times and assist with evacuations.
Joan Jones, Fire Foundation’s Executive Director said, “We want to make San Diego County the safest county in the nation from major disasters; and avoid the wildfires San Diego experienced in 2003 and 2007, and those experienced elsewhere in California the last two years. This requires a comprehensive regional approach to prevention and suppression”.
The Fire Foundation is proud of having provided over $169,000 to the Borrego Springs Fire Protection District, since our inception, to help make the citizens of Borrego Springs and its visitors safer from fires and medical emergencies.
“Our department responds to a number of rescues in our canyons and mountains each year which requires the use of ropes to bring injured individuals back up or down for safety,” John Hardcastle, Borrego Springs Fire Protection District Fire Chief, said.
“The rope rescue equipment provided by the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation will help insure the safety of patients and firefighters during rescue operations. We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the Fire Foundation.”
Contributions from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the San Diego Foundation, Grossmont Healthcare District, and many individuals have made these 2019 grants possible.
The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was formed in 1989 with a mission to improve the system of fire and emergency services in San Diego County by providing financial support for first-responder equipment and training, by increasing public awareness, and by facilitating cooperation between cities, fire departments, county agencies, corporations, and other foundations.
