The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region, has awarded $25,000 to the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for the purchase of fire rescue equipment to be used by rural fire departments manned primarily by volunteer firefighters.
According to Joan Jones, Foundation executive director, GHD’s grant will help pay for replacement radios needed by first responders in Alpine. Jones said older existing radios do not work effectively with the County of San Diego’s updated communications system. In addition, GHD funds will help provide automatic vehicle locators and mobile data computers used to communicate with rescue vehicles and fire engines operating in the Mt. Laguna and Pine Valley areas.
The non-profit Fire Foundation funds the purchase of fire rescue and safety equipment and medical equipment and supplies for firefighters at 27 rural fire departments, which serve more than 60 percent of San Diego County and respond to more than 6,000 emergencies annually. More than 80 percent of these emergency calls are medical related. Among the East County communities that depend on volunteers for fire protection: Boulevard, Campo, Deerhorn Valley, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Harbison Canyon, Jacumba, Jamul, Lake Moreno, Mount Laguna, Ocotillo Wells, Pine Valley, Potrero and Shelter Valley.