Ventura County Fire Dept. receives $12K grant

VENTURA, Calif. "'Ready, Set, Go!' is a critical component of our wildfire program here in Ventura County," said Fire Chief Bob Roper. "Grants like this help us take the message of early preparation and early evacuation to more people in the county. We think that will save both lives and property."

The grant came to the department through a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman's Fund. The program supplies needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments. Since 2004, it has provided more than 1,500 fire departments with more than $25 million in grants.

Independent insurance agencies that sell Fireman's Fund products, like C.M. Meiers, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.

A ceremonial check presentation and display of the "Ready, Set, Go!" materials will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, at Fire Station 31 in the city of Thousand Oaks. Fireman's Fund, C.M. Meiers and fire department executives will be present along with firefighters from Station 31 and Community Education fire inspectors.