An additional 30 paid-call firefighters will be added to the San Bernardino County Fire Department’s firefighting team, as the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors secured a grant of $532,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week. As announced in yesterday’s County Supervisors meeting, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, program grant will provide funds for the recruitment, training and retention of 30 paid-call firefighters for two years, adding to the roughly 300 paid-call firefighters already serving with County Fire, which is overseen by Fire Chief Pat Dennen. PCFs work side-by-side with full-time firefighters, providing critical support and reinforcement during emergency incidents. Says County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, “Our county has seen more than its share of devastating fires in recent years. This funding will give a much needed boost to our fire department staffing levels and will improve the safety of both firefighters and the public by ensuring they have adequate resources.” Adds Chief Dennen, “Particularly in remote areas, such as the desert, paid-call firefighters are a critical component in protecting the public.” Information on becoming a PCF with San Bernardino County Fire is now available online at sbcfire.org.
In other news from the County Supervisors meeting of May 19, both Dr. Don Eads and James Hoeltgen received appointments to the County’s CSA 53B Commission, which addresses fire and sewer concerns for Fawnskin.
County Supervisors also unanimously approved the lease agreement for the animal shelter, located on Big Bear Lake’s North Shore at Stanfield Cutoff. In exchange for free rent from the City of Big Bear Lake, the County’s Public Health Department provides an animal medical clinic and animal shelter; the updated agreement will allow for these services to continue through September 2014.
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