The Santa Maria Fire Department was one of several local fire departments and emergency medical organizations to recently get a one-year grant through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The city’s fire department was awarded almost $49,000.
“The Santa Maria Fire Department has applied for and received several grants over the last few years, of which we’re very appreciative,” Santa Maria Fire Chief Frank Ortiz told the Sun.
“That round of grant funds will allow us to maintain our emergency response equipment when responding to mutual aid calls—especially wildfires—throughout the state and sometimes out of state,” Ortiz said.
The chief said the money would also go toward purchasing “new technologies for the department’s wildfire arsenal.”
Grants went to other service organizations on the Central Coast, including the Oceano Fire Department and Cambria’s Community Healthcare District.
In a release to the media, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) said the grants would improve safety and working conditions for the men and women who provide emergency services for the county.
For more information about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, visit firegrantsupport.com/AFG.
This article appears in Jan 22-29, 2009.
