Capps Announces Nearly $50,000 Federal Grant to San Luis Obispo City Fire Department to Purchase New Safety Equipment

WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) announced that the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department has been awarded a $49,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to purchase new thermal imaging cameras, which will help firefighters quickly locate and rescue victims in a fire.

This is great news for the City of San Luis Obispo and all of its residents. We know that every second is critical during a fire, and this new thermal imaging camera equipment will help to ensure that those stuck in a fire can be rescued as quickly as possible by professional firefighters. As local governments continue to face incredibly difficult fiscal challenges, this federal funding couldn’t have come at a better time for the safety of the people of San Luis Obispo,” said Capps.

We are extremely grateful for this funding. Without this grant funding the San Luis Obispo Fire Department had little hope of replacing the outdated equipment. The existing eight year old cameras required more than $2,500 in repairs this last year. We are pleased that our limited budget for materials and supplies can now address other department needs rather than camera repairs,” said San Luis Obispo City Fire Chief Charlie Hines

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 been providing funding to 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.

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

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