Nanaimo recieves nearly $120K for wildfire suppression equipment

Jan. 15, 2024, Nanaimo, B.C. – The Regional District of Nanaimo has been awarded a $119,545 grant from B.C.’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to purchase of wildfire suppression equipment.

The grant enables the four fire departments to acquire equipment including water pumps, fire hoses, tools and personal protective equipment, which will be kept in two strategic locations for the quickest emergency response in the event of a wildfire, and will be accessible for use by other fire departments from Lantzville to Deep Bay through existing mutual aid agreements.

Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue, Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department, Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department and Nanoose Bay Volunteer Fire Department will share the resources.

The regional district said in a press release that the new equipment will be similar to the gear used by the BC Wildfire Service, making it easier for local and provincial agencies to work together on large-scale wildfires.