Image Credit: BC Government

By Victor Kaisar

Firefighter Funding

Several Prince George, Cariboo volunteer fire departments getting provincial funding

Mar 15, 2025 | 3:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A number of Prince George and other Northern B.C. fire departments will be getting provincial funding that the B.C. Government says will help them better prepare and respond to emergencies.

The B.C. Emergency Management Ministry says more than 230 fire departments that are wholly or partially staffed by volunteer firefighters will be splitting $9-million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), which is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

In a news release, the Province says the money will enable volunteer and composite fire departments to buy new or replacement equipment as well as expand the training they’re able to offer.

“Volunteer and composite fire departments are a cornerstone of our emergency response system, especially in rural and remote communities where they are often the first line of defence,” Public Safety Minister Garry Begg said, in a statement.

“This funding will help ensure these dedicated first responders have the tools and training they need to keep people safe. By investing in the capabilities of our local fire departments, we are helping protect communities across the province.”

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The Ministry says the funding will be allocated to local governments, First Nations and community-run volunteer and composite fire departments to support more than 130 projects across the fire departments.

Money will be going to fire departments in Burns Lake, Cluculz Lake, Mackenzie, and the Tsay Keh Dene Nation to name a few. You can find a list of Prince George-area recipients below, or the entire list here.

“Securing recognized live fire training is difficult in northern B.C. due to the cost and logistics of attending the training, as the closest facilities are over 10 hours away,” Distrcit of Mackenzie mayor Joan Atkinson said.

“This funding allows 11 firefighters to complete the required training to become Interior firefighters while meeting requirements for our declared service level, enabling them to better protect the district of Mackenzie.”

The Province also notes that since 2017, it has provided more than $26 million to volunteer and composite fire departments through the CEPF for additional equipment and training. It notes the money helps fire departments meet training standards set by the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC).

“This funding stream is a key resource in helping remote and rural communities build up the resiliency of their volunteer and composite fire departments,” UBCM President Trish Mandewo added.

“These departments are often the first line of defence in rural B.C., and we are pleased to see the number and variety of projects being funded this year.”

Here is a breakdown of Prince George-area fire departments getting CEPF funding:

Burns Lake – Structural protection equipment
Amount: $21,500

Cariboo Regional District – Emergency response improvement project: Equipment and training
Amount: $501,321

Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Department – Training and equipment
Amount: $40,000

Fraser Lake – Breathing apparatuses
Amount: $39,714

Fraser-Fort George Regional District – Emergency-response equipment
Amount: $511,600

Mackenzie – Live fire training
Amount: $39,350

McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department – Fire department equipment
Amount: $12,847

Tl’azt’en Nation – Project “Be Prepared!”: Equipment
Amount: $38,463

Tsay Keh Dene Nation – Outfitting firetruck
Amount: $19,199

Vanderhoof – Hands-on training and personal protective equipment renewal
Amount: $40,000

Williams Lake – Structural turnout gear cleaning system
Amount: $37,064

Williams Lake First Nation – Fire Prevention and Interface Response Supports: Turnout gear replacement, mandatory safety equipment upgrades and prescribed training programs
Amount: $11,415