Training by Peachland Fire Dept/ Facebook

By Glenn Hicks

funding boost

Local smaller fire depts get funding boost

Mar 14, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Volunteer fire departments across B.C. are getting millions of dollars in new provincial funding.

More than $9 million will go towards 230 departments, in a bid to boost training and equipment in rural and remote communities.

Most of the grants are for $40,000.

Lake Country is getting money for thermal imaging equipment while Peachland receives the funds for protective clothing and equipment. Summerland will get money for structure firefighting equipment while Enderby receives it’s cash to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

In thanking elected officials and the UBCM for supporting their request, Lake Country Fire Dept. Chief Darren Lee said they’d purchased a number of modern state-of-the-art thermal cameras that will be distributed to stations across their operational area.

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“These allow firefighters and officers to see in really smoky conditions. It makes us safer in doing our jobs but also it makes us more effective, ” Lee said. ” When we go into structure fires nowadays the fires burn extremely hot but they also produce a lot of thick black smoke. We’re giving our firefighters the gift of sight.”

North Okanagan Regional District receives $120,000 for equipment and training, while Central Okanagan Regional District will secure over $88,000 for equipment upgrades.

In a media release, Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said during an emergency, people rely on volunteer firefighters and community fire crews to keep their loved ones and homes safe.

“By providing funding for equipment and training, we’re strengthening local firefighting capabilities so that people in rural and remote communities who depend on volunteer or partial volunteer fire departments are safer and better protected.”