Mecca Fire Station Receives $5000 Grant

Fire station No. 40 received a $5000 grant. The department used half of that money to buy new tools and rescue equipment.

CalFire Battalion Chief Joel Vela said the other half of the grant money was invested in fire prevention program materials, such as coloring books and stickers for schoolchildren.

This grant was made possibly by the Fireman’s Fund. Since 2004 the fund has award more than $7 million to California fire stations.

Vela said this grant came at the right time when the department is experiencing a tight budget.

“It benefits the insurance company because fire loss will be minimized. It benefits citizens because we’re going to protect their homes and lives. It benefits us because we’re more efficiently better to perform our duties as firefighters,” he said.