Public Safety

Board Approves Buying New Fire Trucks for Rural Agencies

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Continuing to bolster fire protection and emergency medical services in the region Tuesday, San Diego County supervisors unanimously approved spending up to $1.54 million to buy three new fire trucks that will be used by backcountry fire departments.

The San Diego County Fire Authority will use the money to buy two new fire engines and a water-tender — a fire truck designed to transport water from a water source to a fire scene — that will be loaned out to rural fire agencies that are part of the Fire Authority.

The two engines will be stationed in Potrero and Sunshine Summit near Warner Springs. The water tender will be stationed in Ocotillo Wells.

In the last few years, the County has bought 21 new fire engines and rescue vehicles, and 17 new water tenders, to help rural fire agencies protect the public.

The Board formed the Fire Authority in June 2008 to improve fire protection and emergency medical services regionwide. The Authority’s mission was to unify the administrative support, communications and training of rural fire agencies and extend “around-the-clock” protection to unincorporated areas that previously either had limited, or part-time, “on-call” protection. The Authority is part of the County’s Public Safety Group.

The funding that will be used to buy the trucks comes primarily from $954,480 in revenue the County received from the early pay-off of a long-term loan on an affordable housing project, and the reallocation of $588,723 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds from projects that were either completed under-budget or canceled.

Gig Conaughton is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact