West Pierce CARES is funded through grants and donations from the public and West Pierce Fire & Rescue employees, supporting prevention initiatives, public education and other services that cannot be financially supported with taxpayer funds. The charity supports fire and life safety activities throughout the community in various ways.
Custom-Fit Helmets and Life Jackets – The Prevention Division provides low cost, custom-fit helmets and life jackets to the community. For those who cannot afford either of these items, the CARES program supplements the cost to ensure the person wearing it has a proper fit in order to stay safe. In addition to everyday helmet and life jacket fittings, CARES supports other local community groups, such as the Caring for Kids Ready to Learn Fair, where 100 bike helmets are donated to those in attendance.
Smoke Alarms – West Pierce Fire & Rescue aggressively applies for grant funding to continue its smoke alarm installation program. Should this grant funding not be available for any reason year to year, the CARES program can support and supplement the cost so residents within the fire district can have smoke alarms installed at no cost. Replacement batteries are also available should a resident need a battery instead of an alarm.
Taxi Voucher Program – This program provides medical patients who required routine transportation to the hospital at a much lower expense than an ambulance transport. Taxi vouchers may also be issued for non-medical transportation if, in the best judgment of the officer, a taxi voucher would be the most efficient method to mitigate a non-emergent situation (displaced occupants of structure fires, etc.). This program greatly assist low-income citizens, saving taxpayers over $5,000 each time one of our taxi vouchers replaces a DSHS coupon.
Clothes Replacement – The CARES program may issue vouchers to a patient or a patient’s family for replacement of clothing that is damaged during an emergency call. There are times when clothing, footwear, or coats need to be cut off of a patient to provide appropriate medical care. These clothes vouchers are simply gift cards that are issued at the scene so the clothes items can be replaced without causing an additional burden to the patient.
Occupancy Restoration – The CARES program provides funding to fully restore an occupancy following a 9-1-1 call, such as replacing a broken washing machine hose following water evacuation, repairing a lock or window pane that was broken to gain entry, etc. These expenses are paid for in the field at a local hardware store. Personnel use their judgment in handling these types of customer needs, while remaining in service so as not to interrupt regular 9-1-1 response capabilities.
Other community and program support – CARES supports other various programs, including West Pierce Fire Fighters Local 1488’s annual Christmas Project, which provides support to families during the holidays. In 2016, more than 120 children in 40 families were assisted by the Christmas Project. In addition, when a fire occurs and the occupants do not have insurance, CARES has taken care of boarding up the home. These are just two example of many different ways the program is able to support the community.
The CARES Program encompasses all of these components, but is not restricted. Personnel are encouraged to use their experience and judgment, along with the CARES Program, to facilitate the best level of customer service possible. This is one more way to interact in a positive way with the public.
Donations are gladly accepted and are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.