PRESS RELEASE

City of Porterville                                                                                         
291 N. Main Street
Porterville, CA 93257

For more information contact:
Yuriko Velarde, Administrative Analyst
yvelarde@ci.porterville.ca.us

November 17, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT

The Porterville Fire Department was recently awarded a $70,000 grant through the Homeland Security Grant Program Committee of Tulare County. The grant funds were accepted by the Porterville City Council at its meeting on November 15, 2022. The grant provides federal funding through a program administered by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The grant funds from CalOES are routed to each County’s respective Office of Emergency Services (OES) selection committee for distribution. The funds from this grant will be used to fund a new Bauer SCBA Cylinder Air Fill Station.

The SCBA Cylinder Fill Station is a vital piece of firefighting equipment. This equipment supplies the air for the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which allows firefighters to work in environments that are dangerous to life and health. The SCBA provides protection from toxic gas and is essential for firefighting. The fill station will ensure that the air tanks in the SCBA can rapidly be filled and always have air. Fire Chief Bryan Cogburn stated that, “the SCBA Air Fill Station gives the Department the ability to be self-sufficient and to refill air tanks as needed after emergency incidents occur.” The City is thankful to Tulare County OES for providing funding for such a vital piece of equipment.