“The fire department is in need of new firefighting turnouts for many of the 15 full time firefighters, and there are not enough sets of turnouts to issue individually to our 32 Reserves,” noted Chief Skeels’ report. Acting Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Fildes successfully applied for the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant.The high-tech turnouts to be purchased by the fire department resulted from a joint effort between the City of La Mesa and the Santa Diego Fire Chief’s Association to write specifications for turnouts in order to standardize equipment and meet all NPFA standards. “The turnout gear selected to meet and/or exceed all specifications was the Globe G-Xtreme turnout, which will meet SPFD specifications,” noted Chief Skeels.The SPFD was able to enter into a joint purchasing agreement for the turnouts priced at about $1,600 each. “Santa Paula will purchase as many sets of turnouts,” approximately 37, “as the funding will allow,” Chief Skeels reported. The FEMA grant will cover about 90 percent of the total cost of the new turnouts.
SPFD: FEMA grant for new protective turnouts for firefighters
February 03, 2006
Santa Paula City Council
Santa Paula Firefighters will be turned out in new protective duds, thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of $50,400, after the City Council approved the deal at the January 17 meeting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula Firefighters will be turned out in new protective duds, thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of $50,400, after the City Council approved the deal at the January 17 meeting.Fire Chief Paul Skeels reported that the FEMA FY 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant will purchase enough turnouts – the name for firefighters’ protective suits donned in case of emergency – for 37 full time and Reserve firefighters, about 15 suits short of the number of personnel. The city had to match the FEMA grant with $5,600 taken from the existing Santa Paula Fire Department budget.