Thousands of dollars distributed to four Peace region fire departments

TAYLOR, B.C. — Four Peace region fire departments have received tens of thousands of dollars in funding for new equipment and training.

The money comes from the provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), which provides money to various emergency preparedness initiatives, including volunteer and composite fire departments all over B.C. More than $310 million has been distributed to date.

“During an emergency, people rely on volunteer firefighters and community fire crews to keep their loved ones and homes safe,” said Kelly Greene, minister of emergency management and climate readiness. 

“By providing funding for equipment and training, we’re strengthening local firefighting capabilities so that people in rural and remote communities who depend on volunteer or partial volunteer fire departments are safer and better protected.”

In the North Peace, Hudson’s Hope received $37,485 through this latest allocation of funding to purchase a replacement firehose and a self-contained breathing apparatus cylinder, used to provide firefighters with oxygen.

Taylor Fire Rescue also received $30,690, which will reportedly be used for training and equipment.

Meanwhile, down in the South Peace, Chetwynd received $39,996 – the most of any municipality in the region – for new equipment, and Pouce Coupe received $31,821 for a “communication upgrade.”

This isn’t the first time Peace region communities have received funding through the CEPF. Last year, several communities including Fort St. John were part of a funding allocation in April.