Barona, Sycuan grant buys new ambulance

Ramona Fire Department/Cal Fire recently unveiled its new ambulance to the Ramona Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors.

The ambulance was purchased with a $210,000 no-matching grant from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund that is funded by the sovereign nations of Barona Band of Mission Indians and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

To thank the two sovereign nations for providing the grant funds, the water board adopted a resolution of appreciation that was presented on April 23 to Bob Prohl, division chief for Barona, and Mitch Villalpando, interim fire chief for Sycuan.

Prohl noted that the fire agencies work together through mutual aid so being better equipped benefits all.

The 2013 Ford F-450 Lifeline Emergency Vehicle Type 167-inch Superliner Module Ambulance cost nearly $210,000.

Ramona’s fire department retains two front-line ambulances and one reserve. With a new ambulance, one of the front-lines would normally move into reserve and the current reserve vehicle would be auctioned, said RMWD General Manager David Barnum.

However, he said, the district is considering keeping two ambulances in reserve with one at Station 81 in San Diego Country Estates during the San Vicente Road Improvement Project construction.