There’s a new nonprofit in town: the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation (SBSCFF). The group, organized by a combination of firefighters and volunteer supporters, has come together to support the community, as well as for what Gail Kvistad (one of the volunteer organizers) describes as having “the long-term goals of moving Summerland/Carpinteria Station #1 and establishing a third station on the Foothill Road side of Carpinteria [the proposed Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Station 63 at 3806 Via Real in Carpinteria] for better response times and a much-needed training facility.”
Kvistad, along with fellow volunteers Ursula Nesbitt and Arlene Montesano, has previously collaborated on a number of fundraisers such as the “Fun with the Force” Police Foundation event that will be celebrating its ninth year, as well as the “Kick Ash Bash” after the Thomas Fire and Montecito Debris Flow in 2018. Now in the planning stages, the three women are collaborating on a spring fundraiser with a dedicated group of California South Coast Firefighters led by Pat Cockrum and Brian Lombardi, with assistance from Tony Pighetti and Greg Hons, as well as Bailey Higgins, a student in her second year at Allan Hancock College’s Fire Technology Program and Fire Academy.
Firefighters brought the trucks to show support at the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation’s announcement gathering. | Credit: Courtesy
Details are still being firmed up, but the first annual “Disco Inferno” event to support the work of Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2024.
Kvistad extended a “special thank-you to all those involved, including Carpinteria/Summerland Fire Chief Greg Fish, Battalion Chiefs Robert Kovach and Noah Tunney, Fire Marshal Mike LoMonaco, Fire Inspector Todd Jenkins, Wildland Specialist Dan Fawcett, firefighters Kenan Marting, Mark Blatter, and talented Justin Martin, the man behind the marketing materials, and especially their wives who helped serve at our first community gathering,” which was a kick-off party at the Nesbitts’ home in the summer.
For information about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please call (805) 455-7788.