Seven firefighters from Manteca and Lathrop are currently helping with the COVID-19 pandemic that is battering Southern California – using their EMT skills to supplement staffing levels at hospitals inundated with patients. And more may be on the way soon. This week the City of Manteca sent four firefighters to the Los Angeles area as part of the California Fire Assistance Agreement. It is the same mechanism that sends firefighters to help battle the extensive wildland blazes that have pummeled the forests and foothills over the last several years. The cost of their services as well as the cost of replacing them on standard shifts, according to Acting Manteca Fire Chief Dave Marquez, will be reimbursed by the State of California. The administrative costs incurred while shuffling personnel will also be paid back by the state of California. And three firefighters from the Lathrop Manteca Fire District – including Fire Chief Gene Neely – are also down in Southern California providing assistance.