The Cathedral City Fire Department recently hired and trained six new firefighter paramedics, and now, they have all the equipment necessary to put them to work.
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians announced Thursday that it had donated $25,000 worth of protective gear to the department. Those 12 sets, six specifically designed for wildfires and six for structure fires, included boots, gloves, helmets, pants, coats and goggles.
A federal grant secured by the city last fall allowed the department to hire six new firefighter paramedics. The three-year grant was intended to pay for salaries and benefits for the new hires, while the city will pay for overtime costs. City Council members committed to keeping the six firefighters even after the grant runs out.