Grant Funds New Life-Saving Tool To Calaveras County Firefighting

CCFD photo

Mokelumne Hill, CA – New equipment bought with funds from a local grant has brought a new life-saving tool to the Central Calaveras Fire District (CCFD).

The Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) funded the purchase of what is called a “RIT” or Rapid Intervention Team pack.CCFD Division Chief Joanna Pedder relayed that the total CCF grant was $9,428.00 with the department kicking in nearly $3,000. The total cost of the portable air supply unit that allows for “buddy breathing” off one apparatus with two masks was $12,000. The pack is designed for Rapid Intervention Teams or Emergency Response Teams to provide downed, trapped, or semi-incapacitated responders or victims with breathable air.

As reported here in October 2021, the fire department was one of 17 charities, organizations and projects to receive some of the $110,000 in CCF’s annual competitive grants that year. The RIT pack is comprised of a pressure reducer, a high-pressure charging wand, a low-pressure air supply hose, and a durable carrying device. While thanking CCF for the funds, district officials noted, “We had tried several times for a grant for this vital piece of equipment, and no one else was willing to fund it…Thank you again, Calaveras Community Foundation!”