Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), the B.C. government is providing more than $6.2 million for 122 local projects, benefiting more than 200 volunteer and composite fire departments, including 15 in the East Kootenay and area.

Composite fire departments are those that have a mix of staff and volunteers. Most communities in B.C. rely on volunteer firefighters to protect people, homes and businesses. These local projects will help ensure volunteer firefighters have the resources and training they need to keep their communities safe from fire, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness noted in a media release.

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

This funding also helps fire departments meet the B.C. structure firefighter minimum training standards.

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

Funding will be provided to local governments, First Nations, and volunteer and composite fire departments for various projects, including locally:

Regional District of East Kootenay  – Fire-services equipment upgrades 2023 for Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Elko, Hosmer, Windermere, Edgewater, Fairmont, Panorama fire departments. Approved funding: $228,900.

Elkford – Live fire training; approved funding: $30,000.

Fernie – Fire training and equipment replacement; approved funding: $30,000.

Golden – Training and equipment; approved funding: $24,884.16.

Invermere – Equipment and training; approved funding: $30,000.

Kimberley – Dual certified turnout-gear project; approved funding: $27,900.

Sparwood – Fighter training and equipment upgrades; approved funding: $10,007.39.

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation – SCBA update program; approved funding: $30,000.

CEPF helps communities mitigate and prepare for emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. These include disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, public notification and evacuation-route planning, and emergency support-services equipment and training.

“Rural and remote communities depend on volunteer firefighters to protect homes and businesses during times of emergency. 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,” stated Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) president Trish Mandewo.

Lead image: Baynes Lake Fire Hall. e-KNOW file photos

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