Resilience Fund Grant Supports Two New Wildfire Response Vehicles
Starting this week, two new wildfire response vehicles will be servicing the areas of Santa Rosa, thanks to the hard work of the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation and a Resilience Fund grant from Community Foundation Sonoma County!
These wildfire response vehicles will serve two crucial roles for the Santa Rosa Fire Department. The vehicles will be immediately deployed to respond to calls in high-service areas in Santa Rosa and will enable the Santa Rosa Fire Department to quickly and efficiently access wildfires in remote areas, helping to keep fires small and contained.
“Santa Rosa and Sonoma County have encountered devastating wildfires nearly every year since 2017. This has led the Santa Rosa Fire Department to the necessity of a significant change of business model with how it delivers service to the community, and the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation is a critical component in providing the resources to make sure our community is ready,” said Scott Westrope, Fire Chief of the Santa Rosa Fire Department.
The Santa Rosa Fire Foundation was formed in the wake of the Tubbs/Nuns, Kincade, Lightning, and Glass Fires in Sonoma County to strengthen and expand the services of the Santa Rosa Fire Department through the generosity of the community. Their work helps to close funding gaps and support the Santa Rosa Fire Department.
“We have already experienced a significant wildfire very early in the year, and as I saw the all too familiar hue in the sky, I was reminded of the importance of the work the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation is doing. It was a stark reminder that as community members we have a duty and opportunity to help support the men and women of our local firefighting departments to be prepared and equipped to help keep our community safe” said Jennielynn Holmes, Board President of the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation.
The wildfire response vehicles were purchased through a grant from the Resilience Fund, which has granted out $20 million dollars since 2017 towards healing, helping, housing, and preparedness in the wake of Sonoma County’s fires, floods, pandemic, and other disasters.
“Community Foundation Sonoma County is proud to support the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation’s efforts to create a more resilient community. These vehicles are tools of accessibility serving both under-resourced neighborhoods and enabling quick access to wildfires in remote areas. We are committed to supporting initiatives like this, which seek creative solutions to community issues, strengthen our collective resilience, and highlight the essential work first responders do to keep our community safe,” shares Óscar Chávez, CFSC President & CEO.
CFSC was thrilled to make this grant, which is an example of the importance of community philanthropy. Together, we can make a positive impact in our community, and work towards a Sonoma County where we all can thrive.
