Qualcomm has awarded several North County fire departments grants to support community disaster preparedness.

The Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Carlsbad, Encinitas, Pala and Pauma Indian Reservation fire departments were recently notified of successful grant applications, according to a news release from the San Diego Police Foundation, which administers the grants.

Carlsbad received $20,700 to train 75 Community Emergency Response Team volunteers to use an automatic external defibrillator and to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Funding will also provide team members with high-visibility apparel required by new federal safety regulations, the release said.

Encinitas received $19,200 for disaster preparedness education and to purchase a portable broadcast system that will transmit disaster education information to residents within a 75-square-mile range. The radio can also broadcast emergency information during a disaster.

The Pala Fire Department received $22,400 to start a new training program for 200 people on the reservation and in neighboring communities, the release said. The department also plans to develop a volunteer response team to assist children, elderly and disabled people and people with language barriers during an emergency.

The Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department received $8,000 for a monthly fire safety program taught by local volunteer firefighters to community and church groups and businesses. The grant will fund a portable live fire extinguisher simulator for the classes.

The Pauma Indian Reservation Fire Department and Tribal Police Department will use $7,600 for disaster preparedness education for tribal members, the release said. Participants will learn what to do in different locations, such as the main reservation, the casino and in schools, before, during and after a disaster.