Mayor Stan Henry and Councilmember Mark Carnevale welcomed and thanked the tribal councilmembers of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on Friday morning, May 17th as the two councils celebrated the new protective equipment given to our new firefighters. Tribal leaders in attendance were Vice Chairman Larry N. Olinger, Councilmember Reid D. Milanovich, Council member Anthony W. Purnel, and Secretary / Treasurer Vincent Gonzales III.
The donation provides for firefighter protective clothing and gear including six structural sets and six wildland sets. Each set includes helmets, hoods, goggles, coats, pants, gloves and boots for the firefighters.
“The Cathedral City Fire Department sincerely thanks the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for their generous funding of $25,000 for protective equipment issued to our six new firefighters,” Fire Chief Paul S. WIlson said. “The protective clothing is worn during emergency responses in order to facilitate the rescue of trapped victims and suppress fires occurring in buildings, vehicles and the wildland.”
Agua Caliente has a long history of significant donations to local police and fire departments in Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and unincorporated Riverside County.
“Firefighters and public safety personnel are working throughout the Coachella Valley every day to make our communities better,” Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe said. “We believe this donation to the Cathedral City Fire Department will be very beneficial in assisting these new fire fighters as they respond to emergencies, protect the community and save lives.”
The Cathedral City Fire Department consists of 46 employees including 42 fire suppression personnel. All firefighters are certified paramedics or emergency medical technicians able to respond to more than 5,800 medical and fire emergencies on an annual basis.
“Cathedral City and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have a long history of collaborating on public safety programs that benefit our mutual businesses and residents,” stated Mayor Stan Henry. “We appreciate the tribe’s commitment of putting public safety first by providing vital equipment that helps protect our six new firefighters as they respond to medical and fire emergencies.”
To view the ceremony, click here.
