Folsom Fire Department adds three new vehicles to its fleet after $10K donation

Folsom Fire Department volunteer services has added three new vehicles to its fleet, according to a city of Folsom press release on Thursday.

The city purchased the vehicles with funds from state grants, a Sacramento County transient occupancy tax grant, Friends of Folsom community emergency response team (CERT) 501c3 fundraisers and the Intel Foundation’s Volunteer Matching Program, according to the release.

Friends of Folsom CERT 501c3 fundraisers received approximately $10,000 from the Intel Foundation, which makes monetary donations based on reported employee volunteer hours.

“I think it just kind of speaks volumes to the backing that we have within the city and the volunteers that actually want to come in and do that time and support the city for CERT purposes,” said Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano.

The three new vehicles include CERT37, a retired and converted Folsom Fire Department ambulance used for team transport and trailer hauling. It has already been used to set up a first aid station and provide firefighter rehab.

There is also a 25 feet long trailer used for incident command for deployments and firefighter rehab for large incidents. The trailer, REHAB37, has indoor and outdoor showers, a toilet, sink, generator, heating and cooling, a microwave and a coffee and hot water maker, according to David Brock, a lieutenant with the volunteer organization.

Lastly, the volunteer services acquired an all-terrain vehicle designed for medical patient transport in off-highway situations and team transportation dubbed CERTUTV. It has scene lights, a PA system, electric air horn, code three flashers and more added by Folsom CERT members, according to Brock.

Cusano said it is cheaper for CERT to repurpose a retired ambulance than to purchase a brand new one which would cost roughly $380,000.

Jake Bisetti, fire captain with the Folsom Fire department and CERT program coordinator, said that the trailer was custom built for the program by ProPac Inc. and cost approximately $34,000. He said half of the total was provided through the transient occupancy tax grant and the rest was fundraised.

Bisetti said the all-terrain vehicle cost $26,000 and was paid for entirely through Friends of Folsom CERT 501c3 fundraising.

“(CERT) fulfill(s) many roles and they help us out throughout the department,” Cusano said. “They don’t respond on actual day-to-day emergency incidents. They’re there to fill more of a logistical type role.”

This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 6:30 AM.