For Immediate Release: April 19, 2008
Contact: Karen Clifton
Phone: (559) 445-5532

Parlier, CA - Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno) presented a $2500 check to the Fresno County Fire Protection District and Sylvia Escalante to support the Early Detection Program. The program, which provides smoke detectors to low-income families, was created to prevent another tragedy like the house fire which took the lives of two young girls in Calwa. Assemblymember Arambula presented the donation as part of a larger day long campaign the Fresno County Fire Protection District was sponsoring, where firefighters and community volunteers worked to install 5,000 smoke detectors in low-income homes.

The generous donation was made possible by Anthem Blue Cross, in honor of Assemblymember Arambula’s work on AB 1812. The legislation will create a tax-check off to help generate funds for programs like the Early Detection Program throughout the state.
“In the last 18 months there have been at least 5 fire-related deaths in Fresno County. All of these deaths could have been prevented if a smoke detector had been installed or was operating correctly in the home. This check, and the efforts of the volunteers today, will undoubtedly save lives,” said Assemblymember Arambula.

AB 1812 is working its way through the legislature and will be heard in Appropriation Committee next week.