New Police Mobile Command Unit arrives in Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Police department now has a mobile command unit, and the funding in part, came from community donations.
The large, motor home style vehicle was presented inside the Santa Barbara City Fire Headquarters this morning to avoid the rain outside.
Police say it will be used to coordinate major incidents.
“Often times in larger disasters it means we can set up a staging area, maybe in a parking lot, or another area more central and immediate,” said Chief Lori Luhnow. “T his is going to be one of the key pieces of equipment for our crisis negotiation team. So they are all trained in it.”
The cost is $378,000. $200,000. came from the One805 Ash Bash event a year ago following the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudflow.
The music oriented event brought out local superstars including Dennis Miller, Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry, Michael Keaton, Dishwalla, Alan Parsons, Kenny Loggins and David Crosby. All local law enforcement agencies were honored on the stage in the nearly all day event.
Without this kind of donation, getting funding through the city on the regular budget cycle would be difficult. “It would be many, many years out and as you know costs rise and things can occur so really this the community made this possible. It would almost be impossible in today’s times to get this added to the budget,” said Luhnow.
Eric Phillips with One805 said the fundraiser, raised $2 million dollars and we put $1.3 million dollars out into the community.”
Already a fire department mobile command center has been delivered. The Sheriff’s department will get one in July.
Other agencies and non-profits will also be getting some of the fundraising money, including Direct Relief and Equine Evac. “We tried to definitely get it out to as many agencies but not so dwindled that it didn’t do anything,” said Phillips.
Soon, more events on a smaller scale will take place to bolster the funds and help front line responders.
For more information go to:https://www.one805.org/
