Regional fire departments given more than $660,000 boost for gear and repairs

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Two fire departments in the Peace River region have been given more than $660,000 in extra funding for engine repairs and new gear. 

At the September 18th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), the board of directors approved two budget increases for the Charlie Lake Fire and Moberly Lake Fire departments.

The funds will be derived from Peace River Agreement funds, with Charlie Lake’s coming from the Electoral Area C fund and Moberly Lake’s coming from Electoral Area E. 

The Peace River Agreement provides annual funding to municipal governments and electoral areas within the PRRD. The agreement, signed in 2015, is in place until 2035. 

For Charlie Lake, the board agreed to increase the budget for the Charlie Lake Fire Department by $650,000 in 2025 to account for 40 new sets of gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. 

Specifically, the gear will total $200,000, and the breathing apparatus will cost $450,000.  

The board also approved a request for $17,500 from the Moberly Lake Fire Department, to be used for repairs to one of the department’s fire engines to “extend the life” of the vehicle for “several more years.” 

No information was provided on when the repairs or gear would be purchased, however the funding is being provided in addition to the 2025 budget. 

According to the PRRD’s five year financial plan, the Charlie Lake Fire Department has a 2025 budget of approximately $1.19 million, and the Moberly Lake Fire Department has a budget of $450,000.