PRESS RELEASE

PACIFIC GROVE – Calif. (March 13, 2023) – California American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, announced today that the Foundation awarded a $25,000 State Strategic Impact Grant to the Monterey County Fire Training Officer’s Association for the purchase of a Pump Pod recirculating training tool.

The Pump Pod training apparatus will greatly enhance the safety and training of our local firefighters while also saving our communities millions of gallons of water. The apparatus will enable firefighters to train with full-flow water pressure that can be deployed to individual battalions, eliminating the need to curtail water service during training exercises. This new system will significantly increase training hours while reducing time and costs related to these exercises.

“Being a good neighbor in our local community has always been an important part of who we are as a company,” said Chris Cook, Director of Operations. “Working with California American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation to bring much needed resources to our local community is very rewarding for all of us.” 

Benefits derived from the training apparatus is that it could save millions of gallons of water each year using its innovative water recirculating design and construction. In just two days of training operations since receiving the training apparatus, Monterey Fire has saved 25,000 gallons of water using the Pump Pod.

The State Strategic Impact Grant is part of the Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.  These grants support high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water’s regulated footprint.

This significant water saving measure is consistent with California American Water’s robust conservation programs which encourage efficient water use.

For more information on California American Water’s conservation programs visit www.amwater.com/caaw/conservation/ 

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About California American Water

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to more than 725,000 people. Information regarding California American Water’s service areas can be found on the company’s website www.californiaamwater.com.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs approximately 6,500 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to an estimated 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and diversityataw.com. Follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The Klein Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Services District No. 16 celebrated the grand reopening of Station 6 last month, communityimpact.com reported.

The station was reopened after renovations were completed. Construction on the station began in the summer of 2021, the report said.

KVFD Station 6 houses a 2023 Pierce engine, a 2018 Pierce 100-foot tower ladder and a 2018 booster/grass fire truck, according to the report.

The station is located at 18822 North Eldridge Parkway, Tomball (TX).

Mara H. Gottfried

Pioneer Press

(TNS)

St. Paul will be the first fire department in Minnesota with a fully-electric fire truck, the mayor and fire chief announced Wednesday.

Rosenbauer, a design and manufacturing company, has started the build process for St. Paul’s truck and delivery is expected by 2025. It’s planned to coincide with the completion of a new Fire Station 7 on the East Side.

The city is submitting federal funding requests to support the purchase. Information wasn’t immediately available Wednesday about the cost of the fire truck.

“It brings us all the critical green energy benefits of an electric vehicle, while meeting the high safety and efficiency standards we have for all our fire equipment,” Mayor Melvin Carter said in a statement.

The city’s “Climate Action & Resilience Plan” focuses on achieving carbon neutrality in city operations by 2030 and citywide by 2050. “In addition to furthering climate goals, this investment helps reduce diesel emissions and supports firefighters’ overall health and wellbeing,” the city said in a statement.

The fire departments in Los Angeles, Calif., and Vancouver, British Columbia, have also purchased the Rosenbauer RTX electric fire truck, according to the city.

The truck’s final assembly will happen at Rosenbauer’s facility in Wyoming, Minn.

• WATCH: MN Governor Unveils State’s First Electric Fire Truck

Airway Heights residents will have to vote to decide on the Future of the Spokane County Library District and the fire department services after the Airway Heights City Council adopts two ordinances for the August 1, 2023, Primary Election ballot. The first ordinance asks voters to consider annexing to the Spokane County Library District.
- PUB DATE: 3/16/2023 1:48:27 AM - SOURCE: KREM TV CBS 2 Spokane

The Shawnee Fire Department has installed a new station alert system designed to wake sleeping firefighters less abruptly for nighttime callouts.

The alerting system, which cost $150,000, wakes firefighters with a red light instead of a bright one and an alarm that starts softer before increasingly getting louder, KMBC reports.

The new systems, which replace the blaring horns that awaken firefighters, are designed to place less stress on the heart when firefighters are toned out in the middle of the night.

The department also hopes the new heart-healthy alerting system will make the workplace more appealing and help it attract and retain firefighters.