KING CITY — King City Fire Department is among the recipients of California Water Service’s second annual Firefighter Grant Program, which supports the needs of fire departments in the utility’s service areas.
Due to the large number of applicants in the program’s first year, the 2020 grant beneficiaries are departments that had previously applied to the program and still demonstrated financial need. As a result, Cal Water awarded a total of $148,500, again exceeding its original $60,000 estimate in grant funds.
The 2020 grants were awarded to seven different departments based on need for equipment to protect the life and property of citizens or firefighters. King City Fire Department, the only recipient from Monterey County, will use its grant for wildland gear and turnouts, including personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Part of our focus day in and day out is to ensure we have a safe and reliable water supply for firefighters to protect our communities in an emergency, and by supporting those who risk their own lives to protect ours through this grant program, we can further live our purpose to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water president and CEO, in a news release. “We are pleased that so many fire departments in our service areas participated in our Firefighter Grant Program and look forward to expanding the program in the coming years.”
Cal Water will host dedication ceremonies with the winning fire departments after the equipment has been purchased.
