The province of B.C. is providing an additional $5 million for small community and First Nations fire departments through the Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, says the money will go to communities that need it most.
“These funds will go towards equipment and training for fire departments to help ensure they have the resources they need to continue keeping our communities safe. The smaller a departments budget, the higher the priority and the allocation of these funds,” said Farnworth.
The money is intended to increase resources and level of preparedness in smaller communities.
According to Farnworth, “In 2017 you had large areas burning in just a few places. Last year we had large areas but they were all over the province. I think that was one of the issues that really drove home, we have to make sure our smaller communities have the resources that they need, that they get the training that they need.”
It's all part of the master plan to deal with wildfires and other disasters more effectively.
“We have to ensure that all communities in British Columbia are able to respond to fires. And if we truly want to keep our communities safe, we have to start remembering that we’re all in this together.”