CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
CFF-Chevy donation — The tiny department in Pine Ridge lost three engines to the Creek Fire. Chief James Parr says a vehicle donation through GM and the California Fire Foundation will help them get back to business.
Rebuilding and Supporting Our Communities Together
While the global COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, the challenges posed by 2020 were, in some ways, familiar to California. Even as the state struggled to deal with the pandemic, it was wracked by catastrophic wildfires — the worst, by acreage, in the state’s history.
In times of disaster, firefighters rise to the challenge. So, too, does the California Fire Foundation.
Over the past several years, the Foundation has become a trusted and credible partner for those wishing to provide support for communities and individuals touched by fire and and other catastrophic disasters. In 2020, this devotion to the communities served by firefighters continued.
Thanks in part to the continuing generosity of corporate funders such as PG & E, Edison International and Chevron, the California Fire Foundation disbursed over $1.3 million in 2020, in 133 separate grants. These grants targeted fire departments, local firefighter associations, fire safe councils and other community organizations. The Foundation’s grant program, now in its 3rd year, is designed to help California residents — and the agencies that protect them — in preventing, preparing and/or responding to major events, including wildfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the California Fire Foundation grant program, the Foundation’s reputation for service made it a central point for substantial corporate support for its disaster relief programs. Over the past year, the Foundation was fortunate to receive significant donations from corporations such as Apple, Airbnb, Sempra and GlobalLogic.
One such donation from General Motors included the gift of ten Chevrolet Silverado trucks and SUVs, donated to departments with a disproportionate need. Small departments in the rural communities are often the first line of defense in fire-prone areas, and Foundation help can be exceptionally meaningful.
One small department receiving a vehicle — the Pine Ridge Fire Department — saw 21 of its 23 firefighters lose their homes during the Creek Fire. Like so many others, they defended the homes of others even as their homes were destroyed. The volunteer department also lost three of their engines to the disaster.
“This generous donation from General Motors and the California Fire Foundation is sorely needed and will be put to good use right away,” said Pine Ridge Chief James Parr. “We appreciate the outpouring of support from those within our community and beyond, which is a testament to our region’s togetherness and resiliency.”
“The support we receive from donors large and small makes our work possible,” said Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation. “Their aid enables our vital programs and funding to continue, allowing us to offer hope and assistance during difficult times.”