The Cowichan Valley will receive a total of $60,000 from the province for equipment and training to help local volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments to continue keeping the region safe during fires and other emergencies.
Cowichan Tribes will receive $30,000 to help fight wildfires, and the Municipality of North Cowichan will receive $30,000 for marina firefighting training and equipment for land-based firefighters.
The funding is part of more than $6.3 million that is being distributed to 114 local governments, First Nations, and volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments around the province.
“Fire services delivered by volunteer or part-volunteer fire departments keep people and our communities safer, especially during wildfire season,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan.
“This funding will support local fire departments through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to ensure they can access essential training and equipment for them to continue to do this important work safely and efficiently.”