Ventura County Fire Department

CAMARILLO, Calif. – The C.M. Meiers Co. of Woodland Hills and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. have teamed up to donate more than $33,000 to the Ventura County Fire Department for the purchase of mobile communications equipment that will make information immediately available to the public and media during emergencies.
Satellite telephone and television equipment – along with computer, fax, copying and cellular technology – has been installed in one of the department’s emergency vehicles to create a mobile communications center for the Public Information office.
“This equipment allows us to provide up-to-the-minute reports from the scene of an emergency, and that could save lives,” said Capt. Barry Parker, who spearheaded the effort to equip the vehicle. “Ventura County has many canyons and remote areas where cell service can be spotty, and even radio transmissions can be difficult. With the addition of satellite capability, we can now be more certain of getting the word out quickly on evacuations, road closures and dangerous fire conditions.”
Other equipment in the vehicle allows for television reception and can also send and receive such essential information as maps, weather updates and photos.
The grant package that made the purchase of the equipment possible is part of a nationwide program called Fireman’s Fund Heritage® which is funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants totaling more than $18 million.
Representatives from the Ventura County Fire Department, C.M. Meiers and Fireman’s Fund will attend a special event for the presentation of the grant package and a demonstration of the vehicle’s capabilities on Thursday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m. in front of Fire Station 50. The station is located at 189 Las Posas Rd. in Camarillo. The media is invited.