sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

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