The B.C. government is giving funding to volunteer fire departments across the Kootenays to pay for training and equipment.
“Many people living in smaller or remote B.C. communities are served by hard-working volunteer or partly volunteer fire departments. These departments don’t have the same resources found in larger communities,” said George Heyman, acting minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “We’re supporting these fire departments with funding for equipment and training to ensure people are safer and better protected by enhanced local firefighting capability that meets local needs.”
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is splitting over $6.2 million between 122 projects.
B.C. government officials said the projects will benefit more than 200 volunteer and composite fire departments.
“Most communities in B.C. rely on volunteer firefighters to protect people, homes and businesses,” said B.C. government officials. “These local projects will help ensure volunteer firefighters have the resources and training they need to keep their communities safe from fire.”
“Keeping people in our communities safe is a top priority and supporting our volunteer fire departments is key,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “The funding through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund shows our commitment to helping local crews in smaller communities. We’re investing in training, equipment and mental health support to improve firefighting and care for our front-line workers. This effort strengthens our push to build strong, resilient communities across British Columbia.”
You can find a list of the Kootenay-based fire departments that will receive funding below:
- Central Kootenay Regional District – $473,602
- Fire services training
- East Kootenay Regional District – $228,900
- Fire-services equipment upgrades
- Elkford – $30,000
- Live fire training
- Fernie – $30,000
- Fire training and equipment replacement
- Golden – $24,884.16
- Training and equipment
- Grand Forks – $29,976
- Forcible-entry training prop and replacement hose
- Invermere – $30,000
- Equipment and training
- Kimberley – $27,900
- Dual-certified turnout-gear project
- Kootenay-Boundary Regional District – $118,644.13
- Firefighter tools, equipment and training
- Nelson – $30,000
- Fire officer 1 training and rapid intervention firefighter-safety devices
- Salmo – $29,343.43
- Fire department equipment renewal
- Sparwood – $10,007.39
- Fighter training and equipment upgrades
- Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation – $30,000
- SCBA update program
