Annual ‘Fire Ball’ to Raise Funds for Equipment

The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance – a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization that procures critical firefighting equipment serving city and county fire departments – will focus their Fire Ball “Cocktail Party” event on raising funds for water rescue night vision goggles, Garmin GPS units for helicopter crews, life-size mannequins for use in rescue drills, and hose brackets for engines used in wildland fires.

The SBFA event supports local fire crews and departments with much needed, unbudgeted equipment not available through normal budgeting channels.

“The Fire Ball event is a festive gala for our local firefighters and supporters, yet more than that, it generates the funds needed to provide our local departments with critical equipment and cutting-edge technology,” says SBFA President Robert Niehaus. “With each fire incident, we see how the SBFA-procured equipment has made a significant difference, whether it’s the helicopter night vision goggles that were critical in allowing water drops after dark, Jaws of Life equipment used to rescue those involved in vehicle accidents, or infrared heat detectors that locate fires within the walls of a building.”

Santa Barbara County Fire Public Information Officer Captain David Sadecki suggests that this is the most efficient way to support local departments. “The SBFA has been an invaluable partner to local fire crews. The equipment they’ve procured is with us on nearly every single incident response.”

The Fire Ball Cocktail Party will be held at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club on Friday, September 10 at 6 p.m. – and will include a fire demonstration by the City Fire Department, a special appearance by Riley the Rescue Dog (procured by SBFA last year), and a live auction emceed by Andrew Firestone, featuring firehouse dinners and firehouse children’s parties.

Tickets cost $150 per person and include a hosted bar, hors d’oeuvres, and dancing. To purchase tickets or to inquire about event sponsorship opportunities, call (805) 708-3565.

SBFA is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to purchase cutting-edge rescue equipment for city and county fire departments unavailable through normal budgeting channels. Since its inception in 2004, the SBFA has procured nearly $1 million worth of rescue equipment for our local firefighters, including the night vision goggles that were so essential in the Gap, Tea, and Jesusita fires.