LEMOORE, CA — Senator Melissa Hurtado joined the City of Lemoore for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the Lemoore Fire Department’s new fire training facility, an investment made possible by $2 million in state budget funding the Senator secured during work on the 2022-2023 state budget. The new facility represents a generational investment in the city’s public safety needs, ensuring lifesaving preparedness and training resources are readily accessible to Lemoore firefighters.

“Across the Valley, I’ve seen how hard our firefighters work to protect their communities, even as equipment ages, costs rise, and small departments are forced to stretch every dollar. When the price of a fire engine suddenly doubles, it’s not just a budget issue, it puts real pressure on departments like Lemoore that are already doing more with less, and it delays the upgrades they need to keep families safe. That’s why this groundbreaking is so meaningful. This new training facility is a direct investment in public safety, giving Lemoore’s volunteer firefighters the modern, hands-on training they deserve, and giving their families the confidence that their loved ones have every tool possible to come home safely. Whether you serve in Lemoore or Los Angeles, your life has the same value, and your training should reflect that,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado.

“It’s why I’ve pushed back on forces driving up our public safety costs by introducing legislation like SB 295, which aims to protect communities from unfair price spikes in critical equipment, food, energy and housing. Because for small towns and rural departments, those price increases aren’t theoretical, they shape what gets built, what gets replaced, and ultimately, how safe our neighborhoods are,” added Hurtado.

As part of Senator Hurtado’s work on the 2022 State Budget, and successive state budgets since first joining the legislature in 2018, the Senator secured millions to support funding investments in fire and public safety, water infrastructure and food security for cities and counties throughout the Central Valley, ensuring the region is not left behind.

“This marks a milestone for our community and for the dedicated volunteers who protect it. The Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department Training Center will give our firefighters the tools, training, and real-world experience they need to respond swiftly and safely when our residents need them most,” said Lemoore Mayor Patricia Matthews. “I want to thank Senator Melissa Hurtado for her steadfast support and advocacy that helped make this project a reality. This investment strengthens our public safety, honors the commitment of our volunteers, and reinforces what makes Lemoore such a special place to call home.”

“Everything we’re doing, from securing this facility to strengthening statewide standards, comes from the same belief: the Valley deserves respect, investment, and reliable public safety. Our firefighters hold our communities together, and we owe them the tools and training needed to do their jobs and return home safely. I’m honored to help deliver that for Lemoore.” added Hurtado.

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