SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help fire departments in the utility's local service areas better serve their communities, California Water Service (Cal Water) has named the nine recipients of its seventh annual Firefighter Grant Program. These nine fire departments will share more than $186,000 to augment their rescue and emergency services.

"As a trusted water provider, we work each day to provide firefighters the reliable water they need to protect our communities. As a valued community partner, it is important to us to go a meaningful step further, " said Marty Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman and CEO. "By helping to fund the purchase of some of the critical resources and equipment our fire departments need, we can help our local heroes better protect our communities."

From larynogoscopes for pre-hospital emergency care to ventilation fans and gas detection equipment, the 2025 grants will offset costs associated with fire protection, personal protective equipment, training, and firefighter wellbeing. This year's recipients include:

   -- Bakersfield Fire Department, for specialized equipment that will support 
      the department's Urban Search and Rescue response capability by enhancing 
      the functionality of the GK1935 Shelter System, which serves as a 
      deployable base of operations during significant incidents, disasters, or 
      rescue missions. 
 
   -- Chico Fire Department, for new gas detection equipment that will enhance 
      firefighter safety and improve the department's ability to protect the 
      public from unseen hazards. 
 
   -- City of Lomita, to help make local fire station improvements. 
 
   -- Los Angeles County Fire Department, to support its K9 search and rescue 
      dog program. 
 
   -- Salinas Fire Department, for video laryngoscopes to provide pre-hospital 
      emergency care, which are designed to enhance the quality of life-saving 
      interventions. 
 
   -- San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, for three 3,000-gallon SnapTanks, 
      which are portable, collapsible water storage systems designed for rapid 
      deployment in emergency and firefighting operations. 
 
   -- South San Francisco Fire Department, for one LION Smart Dummy Thermal 
      Manikin to more accurately simulate victims during fire training 
      exercises. 
 
   -- Stockton Fire Department, for essential wildland personal protective 
      equipment and advanced wildland training to strengthen firefighter safety 
      and operational readiness during wildland and wildland-urban interface 
      incidents. 
 
   -- Visalia Fire Department, for four Tempest VS-1.2 battery-powered positive 
      pressure ventilation fans that will replace aging, gasoline-powered 
      ventilation units mounted on front-line engines. 

The firefighter grants are funded through Cal Water's philanthropic giving program and do not affect customer rates.

About California Water Service

California Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to more than 2 million people statewide through 499,600 service connections. Cal Water's purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers and communities. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company's 1,200+ employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The utility has been named one of "America's Most Responsible Companies" and the "World's Most Trustworthy Companies" by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work$(R)$. More information is available at www.calwater.com.

Contact: Yvonne Kingman, 310-257-1434

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 22, 2025 16:15 ET (21:15 GMT)