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Funds coming for local firefighting needs
More than 110 volunteer and composite fire departments throughout B.C. will receive their share of $6.3 million for equipment and training to bolster firefighting response to make people and communities safer, including three in the East Kootenay.
Funding through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) will be distributed to 114 local governments, First Nations and volunteer and composite fire departments. Composite fire departments have a mix of paid staff and unpaid volunteers.
Locally, the Regional District of East Kootenay is getting $232,342 for fire services equipment upgrades.
The Village of Canal Flats is getting $29,927.10 for personal protective equipment and training hardware update.
Invermere – Fire Rescue is getting $29,992.99 for a structure protection unit.
Additionally, the Creston – Canyon-Lister FD Type 3 structural protection unit is receiving $30,000 for an upgrade.
And Golden Volunteer Firefighters Association is receiving $15,000 for forced entry and rapid intervention team training.
“Volunteer and composite fire departments are vital public safety partners in B.C.’s local and First Nations communities,” said Brian Godlonton, B.C.’s fire commissioner. “This funding for new equipment and training will support dedicated fire crews as they continue their important work in keeping communities safe.”
“Many people across the province live in communities with fire services delivered by volunteer or part-volunteer fire departments, and they depend on those fire crews to keep them and their families safe when fires happen,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “These fire crews have different challenges than most fire departments, and this funding will go a long way by supporting them to purchase new or replacement equipment and deliver training to their volunteers and staff.”
CEPF is a set of programs divided into several funding streams, including public notification and evacuation planning, emergency support services, and extreme heat risk mapping, assessment and planning.
e-KNOW file photo
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