Capps Announces Nearly $474,000 in Federal Funding for Santa Barbara County Fire Departments

The federal funding will be used to upgrade or replace communications equipment for the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Montecito Fire Department, and the Carpinteria–Summerland Fire Department with the goal of improving communication between the Departments and their firefighters on the ground. The grant will cover 80 percent of the total cost of the equipment upgrades.

“This is great news for the South County and all of its residents. Our firefighters work day in and day out to keep us safe, and we owe it to them to ensure they have the equipment needed to get the job done and that minimizes the risks they face every day while serving our communities. This new communications equipment will do just that,” said Capps. “As local governments continue to face tough budgets, this federal funding couldn’t have come at a better time for the safety of our local firefighters and our neighbors.”

“The implementation of this new equipment will drastically improve our firefighters’ safety and enhance their service delivery to their communities”, stated Carpinteria – Summerland Fire Chief Mike Mingee. “I want to give particular thanks to Carpinteria Summerland Fire Battalion Chief Mike Gallagher and the Office of Congresswoman Lois Capps, whose vision and guidance has led to this award”, the Chief said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters 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 fires and other emergencies. This program has provided funding to first responders since 2001. These grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including the purchase of equipment, improving firefighter health and safety programs, enhancing emergency medical services programs, and conducting fire education and prevention programs.

For more information about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, you can visit http://www.firegrantsupport.com/AFG.