The new Morongo Fire Engine, believed to be the first in Riverside County designed to carry two types of firefighting foam, will help firefighters respond to incidents on the reservation and across the region.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – TheMorongo Band of Mission Indians recently welcomed a new, custom-built KME fire engine packed with the latest computer and firefighting technology to further the Morongo Fire Department’s ability to protect life and property during emergencies on the reservation, across Riverside County and beyond.

The new Morongo fire engine is believed to be the first in Riverside County with a dual pre-plumbed foam system able to carry 20 gallons of standard Class A foam for fighting ordinary fires as well as another 20 gallons of Class B foam for dousing fires involving gasoline or diesel fuel.

“Protecting public safety is very important to Morongo, both on our reservation and in communities all across Riverside County,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “With its innovative technology and heightened capabilities, our new Morongo fire engine will help ensure our firefighters are best equipped to protect the lives and property of our tribal members, employees, guests and neighbors.”

The new fire engine is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank, a 1,000-gallons-per minute (GPM) master stream, and a 1,500-GPM two-stage pump capable of propelling water at high pressure or in high volumes. Advanced technology will help protect firefighters and the public, such as automatically applying brakes to specific axles as needed to prevent skidding as the rig responds to emergencies.

The fire engine also features color-coded fire hoses and corresponding colored LED-equipped gauges and controls to help firefighters easily monitor water and foam tank levels from a far greater distance for maximum efficiency.

“Our department is extremely grateful to work with such a forward-thinking Tribal Council that continues to be deeply committed to public safety,” said Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines. “Providing our firefighters with state-of-the-art equipment and training allows us to provide the best possible service to those in need during a crisis.” The Morongo Fire Department responds to emergencies on the Morongo Indian Reservation, in neighboring cities across the San Gorgonio Pass and all across the state. In recent years, Morongo firefighters helped battle dozens of devastating wildfires, from the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, to the 96,000-acre Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles County and the 230,000-acre Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity counties.

More than 35,000 children have participated in the Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree, sponsored by Morongo for the past 10 years

Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – Holiday joy and excitement ruled the day as more than 3,000 disadvantaged children from across Southern California took part on Monday in the annual Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree, sponsored by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Over the past decade Morongo has given $1 million to the nonprofit, resulting in more than 35,000 children in need being treated to a free holiday shopping spree.

“Morongo is excited to be celebrating our 10^th year of partnership with Christmas Cheer All Year as we have worked together to bring holiday joy to tens of thousands of children who otherwise might not have received any presents,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “Nothing compares to seeing the smile on a happy child’s face during the holidays.”

Throughout the morning, children from across Southern California emerged from the Target Store in Rancho Cucamonga, CA happily clutching superhero action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, Lego sets, soccer balls, books, board games and other toys that they selected during the three-hour shopping spree.

“This was a wish come true,” said 13-year-old Gabe Silva of Banning as he held a shoe-box sized container of Yu-Gi-Oh cards. “I could come in and shop for the stuff I really wanted.”

His mother, Lisa Silva, said the shopping spree was an amazing experience for all the children, adding “It’s really nice to see them just enjoy the moment.”

Rick Lozano, founder of Christmas Cheer All Year and a longtime Fox 11 News journalist, said Morongo’s ongoing support helps ensure children enjoy the holidays.

“Morongo has been a blessing to us as the title sponsor of Christmas Cheer All Year for the last 10 years, and we can’t thank the tribe enough for providing $1 million to support kids,” Lozano said. “The tribe’s generosity continues to make a huge difference in the lives of underprivileged children and their families.”  

Children who took part in the shopping spree were selected by local nonprofit organizations, including 600 children from Banning, Beaumont and across the San Gorgonio Pass.

Over the past five years, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has contributed more than $5 million to support communities and nonprofit organizations that strengthen lives across Southern California.