BC NDP MLAs Parmar and Rotchford say new investments in local fire departments will improve capacity, operations
View Royal – MLAs Ravi Parmar and Darlene Rotchford say that provincial funding distributed to volunteer and composite fire departments across the province, including in West Shore communities, will support fire department capacity and operations, making people in the community safer and better protected against fire and local emergencies.
“Firefighters and first responders hold our communities together, defending our homes from emergency,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Highlands. “It is a real honour to help our Highlands Fire Department with funding for the resources they need. This announcement reflects our commitment to supporting the irreplaceable work of firefighters across British Columbia.”
In the region, the following fire departments are receiving funding:
- Highlands – $30,000 for firefighter gear cleaning and safety equipment upgrades
- View Royal – $29,190 for thermal imaging cameras and safety equipment
“People in View Royal are lucky to have a fire department supported by committed volunteers,” said Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood. “Our investment in emergency preparedness will help our fire department have better equipment to support our safety and wellbeing.”
This funding, from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, is investing nearly $4 million into volunteer and composite fire departments across the province, and since 2017 has provided over $29 million through this fund, supporting over 500 projects.
Numerous communities across B.C. are served solely or primarily by these volunteer and composite departments, who help keep people safe in emergencies. This round of funding supports 86 fire department projects that will make local communities safer and better prepared.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/33546