Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Summary
- The Province is committing nearly $4 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for 86 volunteer and composite fire department projects
- Funding will provide firefighting equipment and training for volunteer and composite fire departments throughout B.C.
- Since 2017, more than $29 million from this fund has enabled more than 500 projects for volunteer, composite fire departments
__________
The Province is investing nearly $4 million to equip and train volunteer and composite fire departments, strengthening emergency response and keeping people in communities throughout B.C. safer.
“Volunteer firefighters show up when it matters most, and this funding equips them to respond faster and more effectively,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Every community faces different risks and these projects will allow local fire departments to invest in the specific training and equipment they need to keep both responders and residents safe.”
Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), the Province is supporting 86 projects throughout the province under the Volunteer and Composite Fire Department Equipment and Training stream. This funding will help volunteer and composite fire departments prepare for and respond to emergencies supported by new equipment and the delivery of firefighter training.
“Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect people in B.C., homes and businesses,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This funding will supplement training and help equip firefighters be prepared for any challenges that arise, keeping themselves and their communities safe.”
Building stronger local response
Many communities throughout B.C. count on volunteer and composite firefighter departments to protect people, homes and businesses. Since 2017, more than $29 million has been provided to more than 500 projects for volunteer and composite fire departments through the CEPF.
Projects funded in 2026 include:
- Errington Volunteer Fire Department: Upgrading portable pumps with higher pressure and volume for water tenders, and equipping engines with essential tools to enhance firefighter safety and improve the department's capacity to respond to structure fires in the rural service area.
- Central Kootenay Regional District: Regional firefighter training and equipment upgrades, including two training officer positions to deliver training to new and current firefighters, and improvements to the Live Fire Centre and Regional Training Centre that serves all fire departments in the district.
- Neskonlith Indian Band: Six new self-contained breathing-apparatus units for the volunteer fire department to improve firefighter safety and ensure compliance with B.C. training standards for structure fire emergencies.
- Mount Waddington Regional District: Equipping the Coal Harbour, Hyde Creek, Sointula and Woss volunteer fire departments with essential equipment, including breathing apparatus, protective gear, radios and other tools.
- Hawkins Lake Volunteer Firefighters Association: Purchasing firefighting protective gear to fully equip their growing roster of volunteer firefighters and support the department’s expansion.
By investing in the training and equipment that volunteer and composite fire departments need, the Province is helping ensure communities are better prepared to respond to emergencies.
Quick Facts:
- The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017.
- In addition to the Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment and Training stream, CEPF also funds emergency operations centre equipment and training, emergency support services equipment and training, public notification and evacuation route planning and foundations of disaster risk reduction.
- Including this intake, more than $346 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,600 projects.
- The CEPF is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities on behalf of the Province.
Learn More:
For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf
Two backgrounders follow.
