VIDEO: Public-safety and utility officials announced Wednesday that the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department will soon have another tool to keep the public safe — an agency-wide set of multi-gas detectors slated to be distributed to the city's emergency-response vehicles.
The devices, which can detect natural gas, carbon monoxide and other toxic vapors, were donated by San Diego Gas & Electric and will be delivered to all 52 SDFRD stations this year, officials said during a morning briefing at San Diego Fire Station 45 in Mission Valley.
"When our crews arrive on scene, safety and seconds matter," San Diego Fire Chief Colin Stowell said. "It's important that our firefighters have the tools they need to safely inspect and respond to potential gas incidents."
More than 1,000 SDFRD personnel will soon be trained on how to use the detectors, according to the fire department.