Media Contact: Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov

LINDSAY, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) today released the following statement after presenting a check for a $2 million investment for new fire equipment and training for fire personnel:  

“When I attended my first ride along, four years ago, the police vehicle broke down a few blocks in,” said Senator Hurtado. “I also learned there were officers also serving as firefighters. Yesterday was an emotional day for Lindsay and I, as we were able to celebrate the much needed funding I worked to secure that will help save lives by allowing the hiring of additional officers, and help relieve the strain of an already stressful job with new firefighters. Our first responders and the City of Lindsay deserve better than what they’ve had to work with, and I’m happy I was able to deliver for them.”

“The City of Lindsay is exceptionally grateful for the assistance that Senator Melissa Hurtado has provided and continues to provide to the Central Valley,” said Rick Carrillo, Director of Public Safety, City of Lindsay. “The Senator continues to secure funding to assist the City of Lindsay with providing updated fire protection services.  This funding will be used to replace an outdated fire apparatus, equipment, personal protective clothing and provide training to the Department of Public Safety’s full-time and volunteer firefighters. Senator Hurtado has remained true to her pledge to help the communities from which she came and we look forward to a continued partnership with her office.”

The $2 million investment that Senator Hurtado secured in the 2022 State Budget will go to separating the city’s fire department from its Department of Public Safety. In doing so, it will allow the city to meet the growing demand for dedicated staff. This funding will provide a new fire department building, uniforms, and help hire staff.  The funding will also help the department purchase a “Type I Fire Apparatus” which will allow the department to better respond to fire incidents in the city, as well as hillside and slough, and river bottom fires, while providing a benefit to surrounding communities. It will also allow Lindsay to continue to be an asset for the state during large scale incidents.

In the 2022 State Budget, Senator Hurtado secured $56 million dollars to support investments in fire and public safety funding for cities and counties throughout the Central Valley. Investments include:

• $7 million for the City of Woodlake, towards a multipurpose center that will secure a location for a new Civic Center, Police Department, City Hall Administration Office, and Citizen Service Center;
• $10 million for the City of Porterville for an Emergency Operations Center;
• $5 million for the City of Sanger for the renovation of an outdated dispatch center;
• $2 million to the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department for a new fire department building, and for updated equipment and training;
• $7 million for the City of Farmersville for fire station construction;
• $2 million to the City of Dinuba for fire department equipment and training;
• $2 million to the City of Lindsay to update fire equipment and provide training;
• $2.75 million to the Fresno County Fire Protection District for a new fire station and equipment;
• $4.5 million for the City of Selma for new fire station construction;
• $1.5 million to the City of Reedley for updating outdated communications equipment for police and fire departments;
• $2.5 million for the City of Parlier to update its police station
• $6 million to the City of Shafter for new fire substation construction

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

For more information, visit Senator Hurtado’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @Senator_Hurtado

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