The City of Atascadero received a grant to support ongoing wildfire prevention and preparedness needs in the City.

Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services, awarded by the California Fire Foundation, says the grant has already allowed the department to replace outdated and worn equipment with Mystery Ranch Wildland line packs, “a crucial enhancement to our efforts to protect the local community and support statewide firefighting. initiatives,” according to a press release.

The packs would be held by firefighters with equipment that meets current, rigorous requirements of the job.

“This funding partnership is critical to equipping our Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services firefighters with the latest and most reliable firefighting equipment. This modern equipment improves the safety of firefighters as they work the fire line, protecting our community and supporting statewide efforts during wildfires,” said Battalion Chief Dave Van Its in a press release. “We are very grateful to the California Fire Foundation for this invaluable grant. It will be extremely beneficial to our community.

“The need to address wildfire prevention and preparedness is an integral part of life in California,” Rick Martinez, executive director of the California Fire Foundation, said in the release. “These grants support important projects aimed at keeping Californians, our state’s communities, and our first responders safe.”