California Water Service Grants $186,000 to Nine Fire Departments to Help First Responders Enhance Life-Saving Efforts

Rhea-AI Summary

California Water Service (NYSE:CWT) on Dec. 22, 2025 named nine recipients of its seventh annual Firefighter Grant Program, awarding more than $186,000 to support rescue and emergency services.

The grants fund equipment and training including laryngoscopes, ventilation fans, gas detection gear, SnapTanks, a thermal manikin, wildland PPE and training, K9 search-and-rescue support, and station improvements. The program is funded through the company’s philanthropic giving program and does not affect customer rates.

News Market Reaction – CWT

-0.53%

1 alert

-0.53% News Effect

On the day this news was published, CWT declined 0.53%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Firefighter grants total: $186,000 Departments supported: 9 fire departments Program duration: 7th annual +5 more

8 metrics

Firefighter grants total $186,000 2025 Firefighter Grant Program funding across nine departments

Departments supported 9 fire departments 2025 Firefighter Grant Program recipients

Program duration 7th annual Firefighter Grant Program iteration in 2025

SnapTank capacity 3,000 gallons Capacity of each SnapTank awarded to San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department

SnapTanks awarded 3 units Portable water storage systems for San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department

Thermal manikin units 1 unit LION Smart Dummy Thermal Manikin for South San Francisco Fire Department

Ventilation fans 4 units Battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fans for Visalia Fire Department

Water tanks per engine front-line engines Fans replacing gasoline-powered ventilation units on front-line engines

Market Reality Check

Price: $45.75 Vol: Volume 1,232,301 is about...

high vol

$45.75 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,232,301 is about 2.35x the 20-day average of 524,684, indicating elevated trading activity ahead of this community-focused news. high

Technical Shares at $42.88 are trading below the 200-day moving average of $46.63, and sit between the 52-week high of $51.63 and low of $41.29.

Peers on Argus

While CWT was down 2.23% pre-news, several regulated water peers such as AWR, CP...

While CWT was down 2.23% pre-news, several regulated water peers such as AWR, CPK, MSEX, and WTRG also showed declines between about 1–3%, whereas ARIS rose 1.72%, suggesting mixed trading rather than a clear sector-wide move tied to this philanthropy-focused announcement.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 11 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 11	Regulated acquisition	Positive	+2.1%	CPUC approval for Palm Mutual acquisition and planned infrastructure upgrades.
Dec 04	ESG recognition	Positive	+1.3%	Named among America’s Most Responsible Companies for fifth straight year.
Nov 20	Rate case filing	Positive	+2.6%	Hawaii Water sought <b>$2.2M</b> revenue increase to recover costs and investments.
Nov 20	Regulatory update	Positive	+0.6%	CPUC allowed cost of capital postponement while maintaining current ROE and returns.
Oct 30	Earnings results	Positive	-4.8%	Strong Q3 revenue and infrastructure spend but YTD net income lower versus prior year.

Pattern Detected

Recent regulatory, ESG, and acquisition headlines generally coincided with modest positive price reactions, while the strong Q3 earnings release saw a notable negative reaction, indicating occasional divergence on financial results.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, California Water Service Group reported a mix of operational, regulatory, and ESG milestones. Q3 2025 results showed net income of $61.2M and revenue of $311.2M, but the stock fell after that release. Subsequent CPUC and Hawaii rate developments, along with recognition among “America’s Most Responsible Companies,” saw modest positive reactions. Approval to acquire Palm Mutual Water Company also aligned with a gain. Today’s 2025 firefighter grants continue the theme of infrastructure investment and community engagement rather than altering core financials.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Cal Water’s ongoing commitment to community and emergency readiness, wi...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Cal Water’s ongoing commitment to community and emergency readiness, with more than $186,000 granted to nine fire departments in 2025 to fund equipment like video laryngoscopes and positive pressure ventilation fans. It builds on a recent stream of regulatory approvals, infrastructure investments, and ESG recognition without changing core financial guidance. Investors may watch how such philanthropy complements prior developments, including Q3 2025 results and recent CPUC decisions, when assessing longer-term corporate positioning.

Key Terms

video laryngoscopes, gas detection equipment, urban search and rescue, positive pressure ventilation, +1 more

5 terms

video laryngoscopes medical

"for video laryngoscopes to provide pre-hospital emergency care, which are designed"

Video laryngoscopes are medical devices that use a small camera and a display to help clinicians see a patient’s airway when placing a breathing tube, similar to using a rearview camera to guide a difficult parking maneuver. They matter to investors because they represent a growing segment of hospital equipment with recurring sales for disposable blades and training, and their adoption can drive predictable revenue and influence hospital procurement decisions.

gas detection equipment technical

"for new gas detection equipment that will enhance firefighter safety"

Devices and systems that sense and alert people to the presence, concentration or leakage of gases—such as flammable, toxic or oxygen-displacing gases—using sensors, monitors and alarms. Like a smoke detector but for invisible gases, they matter to investors because they reduce safety risks, help companies meet regulations, limit costly shutdowns or liability, and create steady demand in industries where gas hazards exist.

urban search and rescue technical

"support the department’s Urban Search and Rescue response capability by enhancing"

Urban search and rescue are specialized teams and systems that find, stabilize and extract people trapped in collapsed buildings, confined spaces or other urban disaster settings, using trained personnel, rescue dogs, and technical gear. It matters to investors because funding, procurement and regulatory changes around these teams influence public spending, insurance payouts and demand for safety equipment and services—think of a city’s emergency toolbox driving business for suppliers and affecting local budgets.

positive pressure ventilation medical

"battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fans that will replace aging"

Positive pressure ventilation is a medical method that pushes air into a patient’s lungs using a machine or mask, like using a pump to gently inflate a balloon so the lungs receive oxygen. It matters to investors because demand for the devices, related supplies and services, staffing needs, and regulatory approvals can affect healthcare company revenues and hospital budgets; shifts in usage often signal changes in clinical need or market opportunity.

personal protective equipment technical

"for essential wildland personal protective equipment and advanced wildland training"

Personal protective equipment (PPE) are items like masks, gloves, gowns, respirators, face shields and safety goggles that protect workers from physical, chemical or biological hazards. For investors, PPE matters because demand, supply and regulatory requirements affect company costs, revenues and operational continuity — think of PPE as seatbelts and airbags for workplaces: they reduce risk and can influence a company’s financial performance and reputation.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help fire departments in the utility’s local service areas better serve their communities, California Water Service (Cal Water) has named the nine recipients of its seventh annual Firefighter Grant Program. These nine fire departments will share more than $186,000 to augment their rescue and emergency services.

“As a trusted water provider, we work each day to provide firefighters the reliable water they need to protect our communities. As a valued community partner, it is important to us to go a meaningful step further,” said Marty Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman and CEO. “By helping to fund the purchase of some of the critical resources and equipment our fire departments need, we can help our local heroes better protect our communities.”

From larynogoscopes for pre-hospital emergency care to ventilation fans and gas detection equipment, the 2025 grants will offset costs associated with fire protection, personal protective equipment, training, and firefighter wellbeing. This year’s recipients include:

• Bakersfield Fire Department, for specialized equipment that will support the department’s Urban Search and Rescue response capability by enhancing the functionality of the GK1935 Shelter System, which serves as a deployable base of operations during significant incidents, disasters, or rescue missions.
• Chico Fire Department, for new gas detection equipment that will enhance firefighter safety and improve the department’s ability to protect the public from unseen hazards.
• City of Lomita, to help make local fire station improvements.
• Los Angeles County Fire Department, to support its K9 search and rescue dog program.
• Salinas Fire Department, for video laryngoscopes to provide pre-hospital emergency care, which are designed to enhance the quality of life-saving interventions.
• San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, for three 3,000-gallon SnapTanks, which are portable, collapsible water storage systems designed for rapid deployment in emergency and firefighting operations.
• South San Francisco Fire Department, for one LION Smart Dummy Thermal Manikin to more accurately simulate victims during fire training exercises.
• Stockton Fire Department, for essential wildland personal protective equipment and advanced wildland training to strengthen firefighter safety and operational readiness during wildland and wildland-urban interface incidents.
• Visalia Fire Department, for four Tempest VS-1.2 battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fans that will replace aging, gasoline-powered ventilation units mounted on front-line engines.
  

The firefighter grants are funded through Cal Water’s philanthropic giving program and do not affect customer rates.

About California Water Service
California Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to more than 2 million people statewide through 499,600 service connections. Cal Water’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers and communities. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company’s 1,200+ employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The utility has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” and the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work®. More information is available at www.calwater.com.

Contact: Yvonne Kingman, 310-257-1434

FAQ

What did California Water Service (CWT) announce on Dec. 22, 2025?

Cal Water announced nine recipients of its seventh annual Firefighter Grant Program, totaling more than $186,000 in grants.

Which fire departments received CWT firefighter grants in 2025?

Recipients include Bakersfield, Chico, Lomita, Los Angeles County, Salinas, San Mateo Consolidated, South San Francisco, Stockton, and Visalia fire departments.

How will the CWT grants be used by fire departments?

Grants will fund equipment and training such as video laryngoscopes, gas detection gear, ventilation fans, SnapTanks, a thermal manikin, wildland PPE, K9 program support, and station improvements.

How much did CWT award through the 2025 Firefighter Grant Program?

The program awarded more than $186,000 shared among nine fire departments.

Do CWT firefighter grants affect customer water rates?

No; the firefighter grants are funded through Cal Water’s philanthropic giving program and do not affect customer rates.

Which CWT-funded item will help wildland firefighting readiness in 2025?

Stockton Fire Department will receive wildland personal protective equipment and advanced wildland training; Visalia will receive battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fans to replace aging gasoline units.