Oakland, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted $958,000 to the City of Stockton to train members of the Stockton Fire Department as paramedics. Stockton Fire’s increase in paramedics will allow it to provide improved medical services to the community; relieve pressure on overworked, existing paramedics; stay ahead of workforce shortages due to retirees; and deliver a high level of care through mutual aid services to neighboring fire protection districts.
“The Stockton Fire Department is very grateful to be a recipient of the 2018 AFG Grant,” said Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edwards. “The 2018 AFG award will help provide paramedic training to 10 of our firefighters. This essential training will help ensure that a fire department paramedic is available for response to our community’s emergency medical needs.”
“Fire and EMS first responders are on the front line of emergency and disaster response,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Bob Fenton. “Consistent, relevant, and quality training allows Stockton Fire to continue providing the best services to its community by delivering a highly effective response to any emergency.”
In 2019, the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program awarded $698 million to nearly 2,300 applicants. The program helps firefighters and first responders purchase life-saving equipment, receive training, conduct research and outreach, and protect emergency personnel and the public from fire and related hazards. The program’s goal is to enhance response capabilities and more effectively protect the health and safety of the public by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations, and state fire training academies.
A new AFG application period is now open. Learn more about the program: fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 at 10:30 a.m., FEMA will recognize the City of Stockton and Stockton Fire Department at a public ceremony at Company 2, 110 W. Sonora St. in Stockton. Members of the public and media are welcome to attend.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region IX online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.