Calif. firefighters get grant for equipment

By Larry Altman
The Daily Breeze

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. — The Hermosa Beach Fire Department has received a $15,000 grant to purchase rescue equipment and gear.

The grant comes from Swett & Crawford and the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.

Fire Chief David Lantzer said the grant money will be used to purchase more than a dozen different items to help firefighters improve their emergency response capabilities.

The items include:

A micro-electrocardiogram, a small heart monitor with blood pressure and oxygen monitoring capabilities. The small tool is critical at events with large crowds.

Wildland protective gear, including five sets of pants and jackets and four safety goggles to outfit firefighters battling wildfires.

Two chain saws.

The grant package is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. Independent insurance agencies that sell Fireman's Fund products, like Swett & Crawford, are able to direct these grants to support fire stations in their communities.