Press

October 14, 2005
Viejas Dedication of Fire Engines
New Fire Engines to be Used by Local Fire Departments

Alpine, CA -- October 14, 2005 -- In a ceremony hosted by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, tribal government representatives of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and representatives from the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee dedicated six new fire engines to be used by local Fire Departments: San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District, Alpine Fire Protection District, San Diego Rural Fire Protection District, East County Fire Protection District, and Lakeside Fire Protection District. The fire engines were purchased by contributions of the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas Bands to the 2004 Special Distribution Fund.

The Special Distribution Fund was created after California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 1A in March 2000, an amendment to the California Constitution which authorized the State to enter into compacts with Indian Tribes for limited forms of gaming. The compacts require tribes, which were engaged in gaming in 1999, to pay into the Special Distribution Fund created to cover costs of state oversight of tribal gaming and to mitigate the impact of casino gaming on local communities.

During the compact negotiations in 1999, and over the past two years following the State Legislature’s release of money from the fund, the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas Bands have worked with San Diego County Board of Supervisors to invest these funds in public programs that directly benefit San Diego County residents. Through the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefits Committee, the tribes and local officials have distributed over $9 million in tribal gaming grants.

"These important resources will help strengthen fire protection and emergency services in our region. I am glad to be a part of this important government to government partnership" said San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob who also chairs the committee. In accepting the new engines Lakeside Fire Chief Mark Baker stated "the fire service is extremely appreciative of the Indian Nations of Barona, Sycuan and Viejas, whose contributions allowed the fire districts to purchase six additional fire engines to protect east county residents."

"It is a proud day for Sycuan to be a part of such an important occasion. These fire engines are symbols of that mutual respect and cooperative spirit that is flourishing between the three tribes and our local firefighting agencies" said Daniel Tucker, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

"In choosing projects, safety for the surrounding communities was our biggest concern," stated Councilman Alan Barrett of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. In addition to the $1.7 million for the fire apparatus dedicated today, the committee awarded grants for the following projects over the past two years:

• Sheriff's Department Medium Lift Fire/Search and Rescue Helicopter: $1,710,936;
• District Attorney's Tribal Liaison: $100,000;
• Intermountain Fire Station: $111,772;
• Heartland Communications Authority Computerized Emergency Dispatch System: $73,800;
• San Diego Rural Fire Protection District Collaborative Dispatch System: $100,000;
• City of San Diego Regional Fire and Rescue Helicopter Program: $320,417;
• Joint Emergency Services Funding: $966,498;
• Department of Public Works Wildcat Canyon Road Improvements: $1,765,000;
• Department of Public Works Willows Road Shoulder Improvements: $600,000;
• District Attorney's Tribal Liaison: $100,000;
• HHSA Rural Paramedic Service: $75,000;
• OES / Intermountain Volunteer Fire Garage Extension: $85,171;
• OES / Protective Safety Equipment: $7,889;
• OES / CSA 111: $64,650;
• Emergency Helicopter Remote Fuel Service Vehicle: $250,000;
• Dispatch Fees for Rural Fire Agencies: $463,100;
• City of El Cajon Traffic Signal Washington/Dehesa and Granite Hills Dr.: $120,000;
• Emergency Vehicle Acquisition – Two Type 1 Fire Pumpers: $437,762.70; and
• Fire-Medical Reports Management System: $45,016.

"It is very encouraging for the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas tribes to know that the money from the Special Distribution Fund is coming back to benefit programs in San Diego County," said Barona Tribal Chairwoman Rhonda Welch-Scalco. "Through this fund, we have been able to contribute to so many worthwhile projects throughout the region. Although we would love to fund all of the projects presented to us, those that protect the safety of residents in the San Diego region are of primary importance. As we approach the anniversary of the Cedar Fires in San Diego, we can all agree that preparing our county for the threat of wildfires is crucial, which is why this project means so much for our community."

The members of the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee include San Diego County Board Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Sheriff Bill Kolender, San Diego County Assessor Greg Smith, and El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis. Tribal representatives on the committee include Daniel Tucker, chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Alan Barrett, councilmember of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and Edwin Romero, councilmember of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

The fire engines were displayed during the ceremony on the Viejas Reservation, which included a demonstration by local rescue helicopters. Immediately following the ceremony, the Viejas Band hosted a fire safety and awareness program for Alpine fourth graders. The program, coordinated by the local fire districts, allowed the students to take a closer look at the newly dedicated engines and the fire/rescue helicopters, and included a water truck display, foam truck display and an educational clown show.