State awards Southwest Florida fire departments $1.6 million for new equipment

NAPLES, Fla. —

Fire Departments across the Gulf Coast have received $1.6 million in funding for new equipment to improve emergency response and firefighter safety.

Naples Fire Chief Phillip Pennington emphasized the importance of the new high water engine, saying, "With this engine, would you be able to get us out to these types of calls during the emergency to, to make sure, you know, we're able to get to where we need to go."

Inside Naples Fire Station No. 1, Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia explained the significance of funding fire departments, stating, "The first thing that government must do is to protect its citizens, and there is no better way to do that than to make sure our firefighters have the equipment they need to do their jobs."

Ingoglia also highlighted the importance of recognizing the cancer risks firefighters face. Pennington noted, "The things we see in the fires today versus when I came on the job in the 80s, the stuff is more toxic."

The funding comes from the Firefighter Decontamination Grant Program, Firefighter Assistance Grant Program, and the projects in the fiscal year 25-26 budget. Beneficiaries include Charlotte County, Naples, South Trail Fire District, Hendry County, City of Cape Coral, and Sanibel.

Charlotte County Fire/EMS Chief Matthew McElroy said, "With this money, we will be able to buy two new trucks." He added, "These trucks will be dual purpose because they'll have a pump in the back, so it's pump and roll capability for wildland firefighting also."

Chief Pennington mentioned that it will take about three years for the new truck to be built and ready to go.

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