DVFD Awarded $15k Grant to Purchase River Pump

DOWNIEVILLE — The Downieville Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD) has purchased a new river pump trailer with the help of a $15,000 grant via the California Fire Foundation (CFF). The pump will allow DVFD to pump a significant amount of water from the Yuba River and other large streams to aid in firefighting efforts. In a press release, DVFD said that the Fire Foundation’s grant is vital in assisting with ongoing prevention and preparedness needs, especially with wildfire season becoming an almost year-round event in California.

“This funding partnership is critical for our Fire Department. Being an underfunded fire department, funding assistance from groups such as the California Fire Foundation means the ability to buy specialized equipment vital to the firefighting efforts of the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department,” said Robert Hall, DVFD Senior Fire Captain. “We are so very thankful to the California Fire Foundation for this valuable grant. It will be hugely beneficial to our community.” CFF Executive Director Rick Martinez added, “These grants support important projects focusing on keeping Californians, our state’s communities, and our first responders safe.”

The CFF is a non-profit organization dedicated to “emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect.” The organization also offers statewide grant opportunities to California fire departments, firefighter associations, and community-based organizations in support of local wildfire prevention education and planning, specialized firefighting and personal protective equipment, fuels reduction and defensible space projects, community safety initiatives, and relief and recovery efforts. The grant to the Downieville Fire Protection District was made in collaboration with Pacific Gas and Electric’s Wildfire and Safety Preparedness Program.