• Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company

• Momentous Insurance Brokerage, Inc.

• Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
• StarPower Events, Chris and Maryann Edgecomb 

                  www.starpowergenerators.com

• Evans and Son, Inc.

• Fire Services Training Institute

            www.cafsti.org

• Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

• Larry & Wendy Barels
• Jeffrey & Margo Barbakow
• Dennis & Rikki Emory
• The Geeb Family
• Craig & Susan McCaw
• Emmett & Jadzia McDonough
• The Niehaus Family
• Harold Simmons
• Roxanna & Randy Solakian
• Local State Farm Insurance Agents     www.statefarmcom

• Santa Barbara County Fire Local 2046   www.iaff2046.org

• Venoco, Inc    www.venocoinc.com

• Santa Barbara City Firefighters Association     www.iaff525.org

• Hub International Insurance Services, Inc.           www.hubinternational.com

• Santa Barbara Bank & Trust                 www.sbbt.com

• Marborg Industries                        www.marborg.com

• Select Staffing             www.selectstaffing.com

• Exxon Mobil             www.exxonmobil.com

http://www.wildlandresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/022211ALERT.wmx

See Article Below:

SANTA BARBARA FIREFIGHTERS ALLIANCE
Michael S. Williams

Since 2004, the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance has raised more than one million dollars to assist local fire departments with the purchase of equipment to support their efforts and improve their capabilities on behalf of the public they serve.

The Alliance is a non-profit, tax exempt California corporation organized independent of the departments and their union. The Board comprised of community volunteers and business leaders who are committed to supporting public safety, assisting where needed with procurement of rescue and firefighting equipment. Additionally, the Alliance supports the purchase of training aids for special classes such as roof ventilation.

Recently treasurer Susan Petrovich told me that the Alliance is providing important equipment that would otherwise not be available due to budget constraints. This equipment includes thermal imaging cameras on every City fire engine and truck company.  These expensive cameras allow firefighters to see through smoke filled rooms as they look for potential victims and hotspots. The cameras are frequently used in traffic collisions where vehicles are over the side of the road and victims may have been ejected.

The Alliance recently purchased two 12 lead defibrillators for the County fire department. These state of the art defibrillators allow paramedics in the field, in conjunction with physicians at the base hospital, to make accurate cardiac diagnoses. This process saves precious time in the emergency room by directing the patient directly to the catheterization lab upon arrival at hospital.

Other recent benefits include the purchase of a lightweight sled for the County Fire Department’s helicopter. Weight is a major factor in aviation, particularly in rescue situations where extra equipment and people can become problematic. In the world of aviation every pound counts.

 In addition to the sleds, eye protection was purchased to help protect patients from debris during a rescue and around aircraft.

 Heavy rescue equipment is very expensive. The “Jaws of Life” have evolved significantly over the last thirty plus years. However, they are still heavy and bulky. These hydraulic tools are frequently are used for traffic collisions requiring extrication of victims from vehicles. New versions of these tools are electric, eliminating the need for compressors and long hose lines. In response to firefighters’ request, the Alliance recently purchased the latest electrical version for the City Fire Department.   

 Arson investigation is not what it looks like on television. It is slow and tedious work. Years of training and expertise is required to discover the ignition point of many fires. Even with fires where the cause is obvious, documentation is everything. After all, it is not what you know; it is what you can prove. Two crime scene kits were purchased for the County Fire Department to help provide the tools necessary for documentation, collection and preservation of evidence.

 Electrocution is a real risk in and around a fire. Downed power lines are frequent causes of wildland fires. Unseen fallen wires in grass and brush can be fatal. Electrical fires are common in older homes and industrial structures. Traffic collisions with utility poles can cause wires to fall causing a serious hazard to anyone in the area by energizing fence lines and above ground plumbing.  To help provide a margin of protection to firefighters, the Alliance purchased “Hot Sticks” to allow firefighters to detect electrical fields utilizing the inductive wands from a safe distance.

 The recent wave of wildfires drove home the need for additional protection for firefighters from becoming overrun by fire. All wildland firefighters carry fire shelters for personal protection. But what do you do when your vehicle is overrun by a fast moving fire front?  The Alliance purchased fire curtains for all City fire suppression vehicles. The curtains can be dropped in an instant covering all of the windows of the vehicle shielding the occupants from the intense heat if they become trapped or overrun.

Fighting fire is physically demanding under the best of circumstances. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus is required when working in hazardous conditions such as structure fires. The airtight protective masks make communication difficult. The Alliance purchased internal headsets that connect to portable radios allowing firefighters to communicate with each other. For firefighter safety, this is essential.

 According to Petrovich, the Alliance provides local fire departments with access to “top quality state of the art equipment.” The equipment is more affordable because the Alliance can purchase directly and independently of municipal purchasing requirements. There are some things that firefighters need now and the Alliance can provide for that necessity.  

 Santa Barbara City Division Chief Pat McElroy said “The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance has proven to be an invaluable partner. When choosing a non-profit to assist your firefighters, you need look no further than the Alliance. We are very proud of our involvement with the Alliance.”

You can help by supporting the Alliance’s Fire Ball. Event sponsorships are also available. This year’s fundraiser will be held on Friday, June 3^rd at the Coral Casino. The event will include live firefighter demonstrations and a display of recently purchased equipment. Dinner, entertainment and a live auction to help raise funds to support the Alliance’s programs will round out the evening’s activities. For ticket information, visit the website sbfirefightersalliance.org or by calling 708-3565.

 Join Ted and me on Community Alert Tuesday at 11:00 am on KZSB – AM 1290 as we talk with Alliance president Bob Niehaus about their current projects and future plans to support the local fire service. Community Alert. Not If, But When – Positive Preparation for Disaster. 

Michael S. Williams