News: CalFire awarded a $268,000 federal grant

Updated: CalFire, which contracts with San Luis Obispo County for fire protection, has been awarded a $268,000 federal grant to purchase radio equipment, according to a statement released today by Congresswoman Lois Capps’ office.

The funding is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The money is expected to be used to buy radio repeaters and related equipment which will improve radio communications in the county.

“Receipt of this grant will allow us to significantly increase our communications capabilities,” Fire Chief Matt Jenkins said in a written statement. “The expanded command nets will be operational within 12 months, and will be available for use by all emergency responders in the county. This is a great example of federal, state and local emergency managers working together to solve problems, share resources, and reduce costs.”

Source: Congresswoman Lois Capps press release (1)

Capps Announces Important Public Safety Grants for San Luis Obispo County Fire Department
Funding Will be Used to Improve Countywide Communications for Fire Fighters and Other First Responders

Congresswoman Lois Capps announced a one-year, $268,000 federal grant for the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. This grant program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Grants and Training in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration.

Congresswoman Capps has been a long time supporter of the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants programs. This grant program is an important part of the federal government’s coordinated effort to improve the nation’s level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. This program has been providing funding to fire departments and other first responders since 2001. These grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including the purchase of equipment, firefighter health and safety programs, enhancing emergency medical services programs, and conducting fire education and prevention programs.

“I am pleased to announce this important public safety grant for the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department,” said Capps. “Our community is blessed by the dedicated service of our professional firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to protect us from the threat of fire and other public safety risks. This funding will help our firefighters and other first responders better protect the public in the event of an emergency. I’m proud to support the federal government’s efforts to provide fire departments on the Central Coast and across the country with the resources to do their jobs in a safe and effective manner.”

The San Luis Obispo County Fire Department will use the funding from the federal grant to purchase radio repeaters and related equipment that will expand the coverage of three dedicated command radio nets for use by all emergency responders in San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo County’s unique topography makes it difficult to receive radio coverage in many areas of the county. Improving the coverage and consistency of radio coverage in the county is an important priority for San Luis Obispo public safety officials. The new radio equipment will be able to handle communications on multiple incidents at the same time and aide other emergency responders in San Luis Obispo County with their respective emergency communications needs.

“Receipt of this grant will allow us to significantly increase our communications capabilities,” stated San Luis Obispo County Fire Chief Matt Jenkins. “The expanded command nets will be operational within 12 months, and will be available for use by all emergency responders in the County. This is a great example of federal, state and local emergency managers working together to solve problems, share resources, and reduce costs.”