Intermountain Fire launches fund drive
Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department has launched its annual fund drive.
Residents of the 125-square-mile area northeast and east of the Ramona Municipal Water District boundaries are receiving their annual fund drive appeal letters and subscriber membership forms in the mail.
Many Ramona businesses and residents within the water district who have been regular supporters are once again being asked to support the 24/7 volunteer-manned fire department. As part of its reciprocal agreement with the Ramona Fire Department that operates within water district boundaries, Intermountain responds to many calls in the district.
The fund drive letter points out the need for financial support, as only part of the department’s budget is from county funds and grants.
Many area residents attend the annual fundraiser put on by the Hot Spots, the department’s auxiliary. A Hawaiian luau, Dinner in Sherwood Forest and this year’s Kasbah event have been among recent fundraisers.
Intermountain volunteers are professionally trained and at the fire station on Route 78 about eight miles east of town 24 hours a day, every day. The department has six pieces of fire apparatus available for dispatch and is providing officer support and staffing for the Ranchita Station.
It offers free fire and smoke detectors to the needy as well as free fire safety inspections of all homes and property in its service area. It also provides volunteer services at Ramona events such as the rodeo, country fair, fireworks and Oktoberfest.
In addition, the department is working on an agreement to take over the Santa Ysabel Indian Reservation fire station on School House Canyon Road.
Twenty-one certified firefighters recently graduated from fire academy training, adding to the department’s volunteer staff.
The Intermountain department is a nonprofit organization, and all contributions to the fund drive are tax-deductible.
For more information, contact Chief Cary Coleman at 760-789-3710 or board President Charles Teichert Jr. at 760-789-0566.