All 14 of the Cariboo Regional District volunteer fire departments will receive funding from the Union of B.C. Municipalities for a total of $357,937.22.
CRD manager of communications Gerald Pinchbeck said each department was eligible to apply for up to $30,000 and were encouraged to apply last fall.
The money can be used for small equipment, tools, PPE, turnout gear and training.
Each fire department was able to apply for up to $30,000 to go towards specific purchases of small equipment, tools, PPE, turnout gear, and training.
“Each department’s quantities for different purchases varies, with some focusing their spending on certain types of purchases, while others are able to address a broad spectrum of needs with smaller quantities purchased,” Pinchbeck said.
The following is a list of each department’s plan for its allocation:
108 Mile VFD - $30,000 – fire suppression equipment
150 Mile VFD - $28,672 – training facility improvements
Barlow Creek VFD - $28,217.28 – self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
Bouchie Lake VFD - $28,500.48 – fire suppression equipment, tools, and SCBA
Deka Lake VFD - $30,000 – SCBA, turnout gear, fire suppression equipment
Forest Grove VFD - $30,000 – firefighter training, SCBA, fire suppression equipment
Interlakes VFD - $29,436.02 – fire suppression equipment
Lac La Hache VFD - $24,122.80 – fire suppression equipment, SCBA
Miocene VFD - $30,000 – firefighter training, SCBA
Wildwood VFD - $30,000 – SCBA
Kersley VFD - $24,752 – fire suppression equipment, turnout gear and PPE
Lone Butte VFD - $22,164.80 – PPE and SCBA
Ten Mile VFD - $24,164 – fire suppression equipment, SCBA, turnout gear and PPE
West Fraser VFD - $22,659.84 – SCBA and turnout gear
“We will be receiving 50 per cent of the funding from UBCM representing an initial payment of the grant funds,” Pinchbeck said. “The remainder will be provided after the funded activities and purchased have been completed and the CRD has submitted a final report and claim.”
Pinchbeck said the CRD applied a year ago and was not approved.
“It’s a very substantial amount,” he said of this year’s success.
Fire departments outside of the CRD funding from the region also received funding.
The Big Lake Volunteer Fire and Rescue received the funding in the amount of $26,994.43 to use for ensuring it has the adequate capacity to serve the community.
Chimney Lake and Felker Lakes Volunteer Fire Department received funding in the amount of $23,595.32 for structural turnout-gear replacement and training.
Watch Lake-North Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department - turnout gear replacement and safety equipment update was approved funding in the amount of $28,560
Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department also received $28,000 for essential fire-officer training.
The Community Engagement Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is administered through the UBCM and funds projects that support First Nations and local governments to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate, noted a government news release about the funding.
Volunteer and composite fire departments, local governments and First Nations throughout British Columbia will receive more than $6.2 million from the CEPF.
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