VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government is providing more money to rural, First Nations and volunteer fire departments across the province.
A statement from the Office of the Premier says the money will be used to help local fire departments upgrade equipment and training.
The statement says $1.4 million will go to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for community firefighting training and the purchase of new or replacement fire hoses, first-aid kits or other equipment.
The Fire Chiefs' Association of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ will receive $1.75 million to provide fire training for rural and First Nations fire departments, while another $1.6 million will go toward an education campaign targeting youths, seniors and those most at risk of fire-related injuries.
The province says the funding builds on the $6.3 million provided to more than 100 volunteer and composite fire departments across sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ earlier this year for equipment and training.
In making the announcement, Premier David Eby says sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ residents depend on firefighters every day and it's important they have "everything they need to do their life-saving work."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2023.
The Canadian Press