Helping Our Communities Stay Safe: PG&E and California Fire Foundation Announce Grantees for Wildfire Safety Funding

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has partnered with the California Fire Foundation to provide $680,000 in wildfire safety grants to 55 fire agencies and community groups. The Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program aims to improve fire safety resources in high-risk areas, with PG&E contributing $1.4 million to the initiative. Since 2018, the program has funded 200 fire departments, enhancing capabilities for prevention and education during California's increasing wildfire threats.

Positive

• PG&E's contribution of $1.4 million enhances its community support for wildfire safety.
• Since 2018, the program has funded 200 fire departments, bolstering fire prevention efforts.

Negative

• None.

55 Awards Totaling $680,000 Given to Fire Departments, Fire Agencies and Community Groups

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The California Fire Foundation (CFF) has awarded a total of $680,000 in wildfire safety grants to 55 local fire departments, fire agencies and community groups. The funding will support purchasing personal protective and specialized equipment for firefighters, defensible space and vegetation management work, fuels and hazards reduction, and fire safety public education and outreach.

The grants are part of a broad Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program (WSPP) that is administered and managed by the CFF. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) supports the program with $1.4 million in charitable funding. The program’s objective is to raise awareness about wildfire safety and bring resources to underserved communities in high fire-threat areas.

The 2021 grantees are listed below. For a 2020 summary of the WSPP, click here.

“Once again, we are experiencing an extremely destructive wildfire season throughout the state that is impacting communities far and wide,” said Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation. “Grant funding from the 2021 Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program aims to bring additional resources to fire departments and local organizations to give them extra support to help keep our communities safe.”

Since 2018, 200 fire departments and fire agencies statewide have received funding through the WSPP. Funding targets specific communities identified as having extreme or elevated fire risk as identified by the California Public Utilities Commission High Fire-Threat District map.

“As California’s wildfire risk continues to grow, it will take all of us working together to find solutions to mitigate catastrophic wildfires. We’re grateful to partner with CFF in supporting dozens of fire departments, agencies and community groups to bolster key defenses, including tools and strategies to prevent and contain wildfires, and fire safety education,” said Carla Peterman, PG&E Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs.

The WSPP focuses on two key areas to help keep communities safe:

• A Wildfire Safety Campaign that features fire safety education, developed by CFF, in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong to promote early evacuation during fires. The WSPP has worked hard to overcome language barriers by developing and distributing in-language fire-safety messaging. This campaign includes advertising on radio, television, and digital ads, and outdoor billboards in high fire-threat areas.

• A Grant Program administered by the CFF through an application process. The CFF awards grants to recipient fire departments, agencies and community groups in support of projects and programs focusing on wildfire/disaster prevention, preparedness and/or relief and recovery assistance.

How the Grants Help Communities

PG&E’s contribution continues a four-year collaboration with CFF. PG&E has provided $4.6 million in total support for fire safety awareness through the WSPP. The charitable contribution is shareholder-funded, not funded by PG&E customers.

The CFF, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, aids firefighters, their families and the communities they protect. The CFF’s Firefighters on Your Side program, also supported by PG&E, provides multi-lingual, culturally relevant fire safety messaging in both digital and print form, to assist the public in staying safe.

List of 2021 WSPP Grantees

AidTeam

Arcata Volunteer Firefighters' Association

Artois Fire Protection District

Bayliss Fire Protection District

Big Pine Fire Protection District

Briceland Volunteer Fire Department

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

CERV of the Monterey Peninsula

Chico Fire Department

Clements Rural Fire Protection District

COPE Northern Sonoma County

Cornerstone Family Counseling Services

Cottonwood Fire Protection District

Downieville Fire Protection District

Elk Creek Fire Protection District (includes Elk Creek Volunteer FD)

Elk Volunteer Fire Department

Fall River Mills Fire Protection District

Foothill Fire Protection District

Foresthill Fire Protection District

Fortuna Fire Protection District

Hemet Fire Department

Inter-Canyon League

Jackson Valley Fire Protection District

Kern River Conservancy

Kids Rebuild

Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District

Lemon Aide Project

Lompoc Fire Department

Mosquito Fire Protection District

Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council

Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council

Mountain Valley Fire Department

One Step Beyond

Orange County Fire

Ord Bend Fire Protection District

Penn Valley Fire Protection District

Placer Hills/Newcastle Fire Districts

Ponderosa Fire Brigade

Post Mountain Volunteer Fire Department

Rescue Fire Protection District

River Delta Fire District

Santa Barbara County Fire Department

Sequoia Fire Safe Council (Tulare County) - Tulare Co. Resource Conservation District

Tehama Conservation Fund

Tenants Together

The American Lung Association

The CREW

Tuolumne Rancheria Fire Department

Twain Harte CSD (Twain Harte Fire)

Unite to Light

United Way Fresno and Madera Counties

West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District

Williams Fire Protection Authority

Yurok Fire Department

Zamora Fire Protection District

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

About California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation’s mandate includes an array of survivor and victim assistance projects and community initiatives. cafirefoundation.org

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210908006002/en/

PG&E Communications | 415-973-5930

California Fire Foundation | Fera Dayani | fdayani@cpf.org

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What is the purpose of PG&E's $680,000 wildfire safety grants?

The grants aim to enhance wildfire safety resources by funding personal protective equipment and educational outreach for fire departments and community groups.

How much has PG&E contributed to the Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program?

PG&E has contributed a total of $1.4 million to the program.

How many fire departments have been funded by the Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program?

Since 2018, the program has funded 200 fire departments statewide.

Which organizations are involved in the Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program?

The program is a collaboration between Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the California Fire Foundation.

What areas does PG&E serve in California?

PG&E serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California.