BC NDP MLAs Anderson, Malcolmson, and Higginson say funding will build capacity of local volunteer fire departments across the mid island
NANAIMO – BC NDP MLAs Anderson, Malcolmson, and Higginson say funding announced this week will strengthen the work of local volunteer and composite fire departments to help keep people safer in emergencies.
“The dedicated volunteer firefighters across Ladysmith – Oceanside should have the best equipment possible when they are saving lives every day,” says Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith – Oceanside. “This funding will support their hard work by providing the equipment and gear updates they need, so that the can continue keeping our communities safe.”
The following local fire departments are receiving funding:
- Nanaimo Regional District – Equipment for regional training facility and training props
Amount: $200,000 - Bow Horn Bay Volunteer Fire Department – Replacement of bunker gear
Amount: $40,000 - Cranberry Improvement District – New and replacement equipment
Amount: $40,000 - Extension Volunteer Fire Department – Personal protective equipment upgrade and replacement
Amount: $39,520 - Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District – Live fire-training facility upgrades
Amount: $40,000 - Ladysmith – Turnout gear decontamination cleaning equipment
Amount: $33,737 - Mountain Fire Protection District – Updating equipment and training
Amount: $40,000 - North Cedar Improvement District – FireSmart structure protection equipment and personal protective equipment
Amount: $40,000 - Parksville – Decontamination equipment
Amount: $40,000
“Communities like Gabriola and Cedar rely on volunteer fire departments to protect people’s lives and livelihoods,” Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo – Gabriola Island. “Our government is investing in firefighters to make sure residents across the mid-island are kept safe.”
Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), the provincial government is providing more than $9 million for more than 130 projects throughout B.C., supporting over 230 fire departments that are fully or partially staffed by volunteers. This funding helps fire departments conduct and expand training, buy or replace equipment, and expand their capacity.
“This funding is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of both our firefighters and the communities they serve,” says George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo – Lantzville. “Updated equipment not only improves our emergency response capabilities but also strengthens the health and well-being of our first responders.”
Since 2017, more than $26 million has been provided to volunteer and composite fire departments through the CEPF for additional equipment and training.
Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/32096