San Diego County has received a $276,000 donation from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation to purchase automatic vehicle locators (AVLs) for its fire trucks and other emergency apparatus. These devices allow dispatchers to easily pinpoint the closest emergency response unit when responding to an emergency call.
The funds will increase the number of AVLs on San Diego County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE vehicles and mobile equipment from 112 to 192. The additional installations mean that more than 75% of the fire trucks, water tenders, helicopters, and other vehicles will be equipped with AVLs.
“Whether it is a dispatcher determining the closest paramedic to respond to a heart attack victim or a fire chief managing an incident and seeing in real time where all his vehicles are located, the AVLs will improve public safety,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts.
Funding for the Fire Foundation’s grant came from San Diego Gas & Electric.
