A grant request was submitted to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA). The purpose of this grant program through the VFA is to increase volunteer firefighter safety, and enhance the fire protection capabilities of volunteer fire departments.
In 2015, SCFD/ CAL FIRE dispatched approximately 11,989 calls for service which included medical, structure fire and wildland fire responses. Many parts of California have experienced exceptional drought conditions for several years, and despite recent rainfall, Shasta County continues a local state of emergency due to continuing drought conditions. While Shasta County has been spared major wildland fire destruction during the last two years, the extreme fire trend continues in other parts of California, and SCFD, along with other local fire agencies, provide firefighters and equipment to help in suppression of these fires.
This VFA grant will be used to purchase 65 sets of wildland fire protective clothing. Volunteer firefighters use different types of protective equipment for different types of calls. Heavy, padded turnouts are used to protect firefighters from heat and injury during structure fires and traffic accidents. Lighter weight protective pants and jackets made from fire resistant Nomex fabric are used while fighting fires on wildland incidents. This grant will provide 65 sets of wildland fire protective pants and jackets. It will also purchase over 300 pairs of wildland firefighting protective gloves.
All of the wildland fire protective clothing funded by the grant will meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1977, current edition for 2011. NFPA is the trade association that maintains internationally recognized publications and standards to minimize the effects of fire and other hazards. The NFPA process to create and update standards is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The coats and pants are created from the new Nomex IIIA to better resist heat and fire, and have additional modifications to improve firefighter safety including a single layer sleeve to reduce heat related illnesses, and improved shaping for a better fit allowing more ergonomic movement during wear. The gloves also meet the newest NFPA standards.
Acceptance of the VFA grant requires a 50% County match, a resolution of the Board of Supervisors, and signature of a grant agreement with the term of the grant from date of signing through June 30, 2017.