Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance Raising Additional Funds for Crews in the Heat of Fire Season

Santa Barbara County and City Firefighters are heading out with essential gear when they get their emergency calls, but there are many supplies they could use that are not annually funded. The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance is actively looking for donations and two fundraisers are set.

The first fundraiser is Sunday at Figueroa Mountain Brewing. Admission is $20. All proceeds go directly to the Alliance. Seven craft breweries will be involved at 137 Anacapa Street.

Firefighters will be there to informally mingle with the crowd.

The funds raised over the years have purchased items including night vision gear for chopper pilots attacking fires, urban search and rescue equipment , thermal imaging cameras, tents and gear bags for hot shot crews, and water rescue supplies.

Some of the items first identified by the front line firefighters and purchased by the Alliance has been worked into the budgets in the future when funds are available.

The funds this year will also help pay for ballistic vests for firefighters in hostile situation during periods of unrest.

“With the equipment the community helps us support and buy we’re literally saving lives. They (fire departments) present us with a list we go out and raise the money and present it to the city or the county,” said Paul Cashman, Alliance President.

There will be another fundraiser, the annual Fire Ball, in May 2017

(more details and video will be available here later today)

For more information go to: http://sbfirefightersalliance.org/