Fireman’s Fund Grant Buys Wildfire Equipment for Ventura County Fire Department

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The Ventura County Fire Department received a $15,000 grant in June from Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. and Momentous Insurance Brokerage to equip fire engines in the Ojai region with Thermo-Gel®.

"Thermo-Gel is a concentrate that, when combined with water, transforms into a fire-preventive and heat-absorbing gel," said Ventura County Assistant Chief Darrell Ralston. "We can spray it on to structures, vehicles or vegetation and it will help protect it against a wildfire for several hours."

By applying the gel well before a fire arrives, it allows residents to evacuate safely and the firefighters to protect more structures. Five engine companies in Ojai and the surrounding areas have been equipped with a special nozzle/eductor assembly, a backpack and the five- gallon containers of the product. Each container weighs 47 pounds, not counting the weight of the hose and nozzle, so applying the gel is hard work for firefighters under wildfire conditions.

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 and, since 2004, has provided more than 1,700 fire departments with more than $28 million in grants. Independent insurance agencies that sell Fireman's Fund products, like Momentous Insurance, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.

"Thermo-Gel is an important piece of our wildfire firefighting strategy here in Ventura County," said Ralston, "and grants like this allow us to protect more areas of the county with it. We think that will save both lives and property."



Author:Ventura County Fire Department Press Release