RECENT GRANTS

Since the events of September 11, 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has made funds available to local fire departments to improve firefighter safety and opeations. These funds are your federal tax dollars that are returned to local communities. Through a competitive application process needs can be addressed with no more than a 10% local match. This has enabled the Pomona Fire Department to make tremendous improvement with minimal expenditure of local funds.

The department has been successful in recent years in securing federal grants to improve operations and safety. In 2003, we received $49,000.00 to upgrade personal protective equipment and acquire small equipment. All members were outfitted in new bunker gear, personal alert devices, and were fitted with personal face masks for self-contained breathing apparatus operations.
The 2004 grant cycle yielded $31,000.00 to be upgrade the communications system. New frequencies and a repeater system with antenna mounted on a 180 ft. tower located north of Pomona will ensure more effective communication thereby helping to remove safety issues and enhance the overall operational efficiency of the department. Twenty Minitor IV pagers and twenty Motorola portable radios round out the upgrade. To improve interoperability with adjoining agencies, UHF communications will now be available through grant funds.

In the current, 2005, grant cycle application was made in the amount of $140,000.00 for acquisition of a new pumper/tanker to replace our 1977 International tanker. If awarded, this unit will greatly enhance our ability to protect our rural population.