LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Fire Protection District (LCFPD) volunteer firefighter Lane Lowder is seeking information regarding the theft of his fire gear from his vehicle on the morning of Sunday, April 26 in the area of Dam Road in Clearlake. The fire-resistant gear is the most important equipment the firefighter possesses in serving the needs of the community.
“I can”t believe that someone would go through so much trouble, breaking out all my windows, to steal this gear,” Lowder said. “There”s not much use for it unless you are planning on fighting a fire. It is very expensive and our department doesn”t have excessive funds to replace equipment like this.”
LCFPD is responsible for 165 square miles, including the City of Clearlake and the community of Lower Lake and surrounding areas. It depends on the service of its volunteer base to serve the community efficiently. Volunteers are typically not responsible for paying for their own equipment; however, in the case of theft they can be held liable.
“They took all my structure gear and all my wildland gear. My radio is gone too and I have to pay for it if I don”t get it back,” Lowder said.
A reward is being offered for information leading to the return of all the gear. Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the fire department at 994-2170 or the Clearlake Police Department at 994-8251.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
