La Habra Heights, California
“We are very pleased to see the Federal government
actively supports the excellent work being done by the La Habra Heights Fire
Department,” says Mayor Kyle Miller.
“The residents of La Habra Heights are very proud of the cost-effective
work our volunteer Fire Department has done for many years to keep our
community safe.”
The SAFER grants program provides funding directly to
fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest
organizations throughout the nation to help increase or maintain the
number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their
communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities
to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the
National Fire Protection Association.
The grant duration totals of $870,000 over a
four year period to assist the Department with Recruitment and Retention
efforts for Firefighters and Paramedics. There are no cost match requirements
or long term obligations for the City.
The grant provides funding for one Recruitment
and Retention Officer to coordinate both recruitment and retention duties. This
Officer will not have emergency response obligations. In addition to covering
salary and benefit costs for this officer, the grant also includes funding for recruiting
costs and equipment.
The grant provides funding
over the next four years to offset the costs of hiring new recruits; $104,000
for structural personal protective equipment valued at $4,000 per firefighter,
$80,000 for medicals exams, $100,000 for training, $18,000 for new uniforms,
and $16,000 for website development.
“We intend to use these Federal funds very
prudently as we continue working to provide the highest level of professional
fire protection services to the La Habra Heights community,” says Fire Chief
Doug Graft.
The grant award comes just days after the La
Habra Heights Fire Department was rated in the top two percent of the 48,000
departments across the nation by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The organization upgraded the La Habra
Heights Fire Department from a Class 5 ranking to a Class 2 effective September
1, 2016. Areas included in the ISO
evaluation included: 911 dispatch capability, Fire Department command staff,
apparatus, automatic and mutual aid agreements, staffing levels, training, and
fire prevention activities. In addition,
the water supply and fire hydrant system was evaluated.
The force of the impact pushed the car back into the roadway, coming to rest in the Northbound lane. The driver suffered serious injuries and was treated and transported to a local trauma center by La Habra Heights Firefighter/Paramedics.
On October 13, 2016, the La Habra Heights City Council confirmed the appointment of Jarad Hildenbrand as the new City Manager. 
The grant provides funding for one Recruitment
and Retention Officer to coordinate both recruitment and retention duties. This
Officer will not have emergency response obligations. In addition to covering
salary and benefit costs for this officer, the grant also includes funding for recruiting
costs and equipment. 
On October 15, 2016, La Habra Heights Firefighters responded to a reported sheared fire hydrant. On arrival, firefighters found a fire hydrant which had been struck by an automobile, flowing like a geyser. The driver left the scene prior to the arrival of fire personnel.
Los Angeles County Fire Department assisted the La Habra Heights Fire Department by providing patient care and transporting one patient to a local hospital in stable condition.
