The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has been awarded funding to support wildfire risk reduction projects through the Community Resiliency Investment program.
The SCRD will get $114,850 for the work, which could include FireSmart initiatives and fuel management in interface areas.
“Supporting communities in planning for wildfire emergencies is essential,” said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons. “This funding will help the Sunshine Coast RD plan how to best protect homes and infrastructure from wildfires.”
The SCRD and Pender Harbour Fire Protection District are also getting a share of a new $5-million funding package from the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Changes in 2019 made areas served by fully volunteer or composite fire departments eligible for the funding for the first time.
According to the March 6 release announcing the funding, a total of 102 proposals to help fire departments “build resiliency with new or replacement equipment and firefighter training” were approved.
The SCRD, which administers the Egmont, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek and Gibsons fire departments, was awarded $100,000.
The Pender Harbour Fire Protection District will receive $23,850.
The funding is distributed through the Union of BC Municipalities.
“Volunteer and composite fire departments are vital public safety partners in B.C.’s local and First Nations communities,” said Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. “This funding for new equipment and training will support dedicated fire crews at more than 100 of these fire departments as they continue their work to keep communities safe.”
The province announced this sixth stream of CEPF funding for volunteer and composite fire departments in May 2019.
