Local volunteer fire departments benefiting from provincial investment (File photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Equipment & training

Local volunteer fire departments benefiting from provincial investment

Jan 11, 2024 | 11:00 AM

Several volunteer fire departments in the Okanagan and surrounding area are getting financial support.

Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), the province is providing over $6.2-million to support 122 projects at volunteer and composite fire departments in B.C.

“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,” George Heyman, acting Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said.

“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 local communities benefiting from the investments are:

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• North Okanagan Regional District: Regional partners: BX-Swan Lake, Silver Star, Lumby $67,000 for 2023’s equipment and training
• Armstrong: $30,000 for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) bottle replacement
• Lake Country: $30,000 for wildland urban interface personal protective equipment
• Central Okanagan Regional District: $115,475.60 for SCBA pack purchase and upgrades for Joe Rich Fire Rescue, a hose replacement for North Westside Fire Rescue, a live fire-training prop upgrade for Wilson’s Landing Fire Department, and fire-extinguisher training equipment for Ellison Fire Department
• Salmon Arm: $29,250.26 for equipment and training
• Sicamous: $30,000 for fire department upgrades in 2023
• Peachland: $30,000 for firefighter personal protective clothing
• Summerland: $29,925 for a portable radio upgrade
• Golden: $29,976 for a forcible-entry training prop and replacement hose

The investments build on work started in 2017 to support volunteer and composite fire departments with additional equipment and training. To date, over $17-million has been provided to fire departments through the CEPF.

“Keeping people in our communities safe is a top priority and supporting our volunteer fire departments is key,” Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said.

“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.”

The CEPF is distributed through the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) and the funds are intended to support projects that prepare First Nations and municipalities to respond to natural disasters while also reducing risks from natural hazards.

“Rural and remote communities depend on volunteer firefighters to protect homes and businesses during times of emergency,” Trish Mandewo, UBCM president, said.

“By upgrading the equipment, training and support available to volunteer and composite fire departments, the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund enhances the safety of communities and firefighters. This is a welcome funding program, which UBCM is glad to administer on behalf of the Province.”