Each of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s 13 fire departments may be getting up to $40,000 for new equipment.
CSRD directors unanimously approved an application to the 2024 Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for volunteer and composite fire departments equipment and training grant for up to $520,000.
In his report to the board, Sean Coubrough, protective services manager (Regional Fire Chief), explained the CEPF, which is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, provides up to $40,000 per fire department to assist small rural fire departments meet the constantly evolving training and equipment needs.
CSRD currently oversees 13 volunteer/paid-on-call fire departments in rural areas, which are funded through eight individual budgets.
The intent of the grant funding stream is to build the resiliency of volunteer paid-on-call and composite fire departments in preparing for and responding to emergencies. Ongoing operational costs and the purchase of major fire apparatus are not eligible for this grant.
The CSRD has developed a regional fire service where all 13 departments are integrated with the same training program, operational guidelines, response criteria and equipment.
“A single application for this grant allows us to continue to ensure interoperability and uniformity among the departments and may provide additional benefits in purchasing power resulting from a decrease in costs for the quantity we require,” wrote Coubrough in his report to the board. “The primary focus of the grant funding will be on the health and safety of our firefighters.”
Coubrough pointed out CSRD fire departments are currently using consumer-grade residential washing machines to wash soiled and contaminated turnout gear, something that does not meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines.
“Turnout gear extractors are designed to remove most contaminants from turnout gear, reducing our firefighters’ exposure and increasing protection to the health and safety of our firefighters,” he noted.
The purchase of multi-gas detectors and calibration stations are also on Coubrough’s shopping list as the current gas detectors are old, outdated, cannot be calibrated in-house and, in many cases, provide inaccurate readings.
In 2022, CEPF funding enabled CSRD Fire Services to purchase wildland firefighting shirts, pants and boots for some 350 firefighters. The purchase of additional turnout gear is required to outfit new members and to replace damaged and worn-out gear.
Handheld radios are in short supply and many are damaged, while others have limited radio frequency storage capabilities.
“The new radios will include additional storage for frequencies required for interoperability during multi-agency responses, including wildfires, and will supplement each hall with enough radios for all members operating at an emergency scene,” Coubrough pointed out.
The CEPF program grant provides 100 percent of program funding for eligible costs and the CSRD is prepared to provide in-house staff contributions to manage the grant if it is successful.
As well as getting full board support, the board was informed of a new member of the FireSmart Team. Crystal Gauer is a new wildfire mitigation specialist for the Columbia region, who has been working to promote the FireSmart program in the rural areas.
In advising the board, Derek Sutherland, general manager, community and protective services, said Gauer, who was with BC Wildfire for 12 years, is based in Revelstoke.
“She has been incredibly valuable in promoting FireSmart,” he said.
Area A Director Karen Cathcart agreed.
“Crystal has been valuable already; she is a strong presence, knows her stuff is helping to build confidence in our area,” she said, noting Gauer’s willingness to attend meetings and provide support. “When you call on her, she comes. We really appreciate her.”
