Municipal Affairs
February 18, 2011

Fire Departments on the Southwest Coast Receive Over $63,000 in Funding

A Provincial Government investment of $63,880 will assist four fire departments on the southwest coast in purchasing new firefighting equipment. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, announced funding today for Lourdes Regional, Cape St. George, St. George’s, and Bay St. George South Fire Departments.

“Enhanced firefighter protection is a priority for our government, recognizing that it is difficult to predict what dangers could arise in an emergency situation,” said Minister O’Brien. “Our fire department members help to exemplify all that is good about the volunteer community in Newfoundland and Labrador. I am pleased and proud to provide funding to support their continued protection.”

The funding will provide for personal protective equipment, as outlined below:

“This government remains committed to investing in our rural communities and I am pleased that both Bay St. George South and St. George’s have been selected as recipients of this special grant,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education and MHA for St. George’s - Stephenville East. “This equipment will be of tremendous benefit in carrying out duties under fire and emergency services and protecting the safety of residents of the Bay St. George South and St. George’s areas.”

“This funding for firefighting equipment will make the firefighters in our communities safer, allowing them to respond to requests for assistance and help people in need which, in turn, makes everyone safer,” said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port. “The investment shows our government’s assurance that the people of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, in particular the communities covered by the Lourdes Regional and the Cape St. George Volunteer Fire Departments, will have services that guarantee the safety and well-being of everyone.”

Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future doubled the investment in firefighting equipment from $500,000 to $1 million, while also increasing expenditures on firefighting vehicles to a total of $2.5 million. Funding for the southwest coast will be shared between the Provincial Government and the respective communities under the 90/10 cost-shared ratio established through the Municipal Capital Works Program.

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2011 02 18                                                    11:15 a.m.