Image Credit: BC Government

By Victor Kaisar

Firefighter Funding

Numerous Kamloops, Cariboo volunteer fire departments getting provincial funding

Mar 15, 2025 | 3:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — A number of Kamloops-and-Cariboo-area 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 Ashcroft, Barriere, Clearwater, and Sun Peaks to name a few. You can find a list of Kamloops area recipients below, or the entire list here.

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 some fire departments getting CEPF funding:

100 Mile House – Structure Protection Unit Equipment
Amount: $38,055

Adams Lake Indian Band – Breathing apparatus purchase and training
Amount: $40,000

Ashcroft – Firefighter training
Amount: $36,447

Barriere – Fire department equipment and training
Amount: $37,000

Blue River Improvement District – Fire department equipment and training
Amount: $24,709

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

Cherry Creek Improvement District – Personal protective equipment and operational equipment
Amount: $40,000

Chimney and Felker Lakes Volunteer Fire Department – Firefighter training, personal protective equipment and firefighting equipment upgrades Amount: $39,996

Clearwater – Fire department training props and equipment
Amount: $40,000

Columbia Shuswap Regional District – Health, safety and personal protective equipment
Amount: $559,280

Cook’s Ferry Indian Band – Cook’s Ferry Fire and Emergency Services: Equipment and personal protective equipment
Amount: $40,000

Greeny Lake Volunteer Fire Department – Update equipment and training Amount: $33,813

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

Merritt – Upgrading equipment: Breathing air compressor
Amount: $40,000

Paul Lake Community Association – Paul Lake Community Fire and Emergency Preparedness and Resiliency: Equipment and training
Amount: $24,976

Pinantan Lake Fire Association – Structural protection equipment
Amount: $40,000

Salmon Arm – Equipment and training
Amount: $40,000

Savona Improvement District – Equipment upgrade
Amount: $40,000

Sicamous – Equipment and training
Amount: $40,000

Skeetchestn Indian Band – Fire department equipment
Amount: $40,000

Skwláx te Secwepemcúl?ecw (Little Shuswap Lake) – New Structural Protection Unit
Amount: $36,245

Spences Bridge Improvement District – Fire department equipment
Amount: $40,000

Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek) – Firefighting equipment
Amount: $17,437

Sun Peaks – 2024 Sun Peaks Fire Rescue Health and Safety Improvement Project
Amount: $39,937

Thompson-Nicola Regional District – Fire department equipment and training
Amount: $360,000

Watch Lake – North Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department: Turnout gear replacement, safety equipment upgrades and training programs
Amount: $39,800

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