Doug Routley says new funding for equipment and training will help local volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments to continue keeping people in the Cowichan Valley and Northern Gulf Islands safe during fires and other emergencies.
“Fire services delivered by volunteer or part-volunteer fire departments keep people and our communities safer, especially during wildfire season,” said the NDP’s Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “This funding will support local fire departments through the Community Emergency Preparedness fund to ensure they can access essential training and equipment for them to continue to do this important work safely and efficiently.”
The following fire departments are receiving funding in the Cowichan Valley and Northern Gulf Islands:
North Cowichan - $30,000 for marina firefighting for land-based firefighters.
Thetis Island Improvement District - $30,000 for the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department self-contained breathing apparatus updates.
Cowichan Tribes - $30,000 for wildfire PPE.
Gabriola Island Fire Protection District - $29,235 for structure protection unit purchase and training.
The funding is part of more than $6.3 million being distributed to 114 local governments, First Nations, and volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments around the province.
Since 2017, First Nations and local governments have been approved for more than $111 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for more than 1,300 projects that help communities mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate-related emergencies.