Supervisors approve FEMA grant

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be providing the San Diego County Regional Fire Authority with a $113,637 grant to purchase fire apparatus exhaust systems at four fire stations, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0, Oct. 30, with Ron Roberts in Asia on business travel, to accept the grant and provide the required $11,363 match.

“Fire protection in our county is a top priority, and this grant to purchase equipment will help prepare us for the next fire emergency,” Supervisor Bill Horn said.

The board of supervisors had previously authorized the San Diego County Regional Fire Authority to submit grant applications for projects to improve fire prevention and fire protection in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration has an Assistance to Firefighters Grant program which provides funding to fire departments and other emergency medical services providers so that those agencies can equip and train emergency personnel, enhance operational effectiveness, facilitate interface with other agencies and encourage community resilience.

The San Diego County Regional Fire Authority submitted an Assistance to Firefighters Grant application Feb. 1, for the fire apparatus exhaust systems. FEMA approved awarding the grant to the county fire department Sept. 14. The conditions of the grant include a 10 percent local match.

Money from the county’s general fund will be used to provide the local match. The four specific fire stations where the fire apparatus exhaust systems will be housed is to be determined.