Text Size
Bookmark and Share

Municipal Affairs
November 26, 2012

Grand Bank District to Receive New Firefighting Vehicle and Equipment

Fire departments in the Grand Bank district will receive approximately $250,000 in new vehicles and equipment. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, made the announcement Saturday evening at the Fortune Firefighters Ball.

“I am pleased to support fire protection efforts in this region and the great work of the Fortune fire department,” said Minister O’Brien. “The Provincial Government is committed to working with communities to ensure fire departments have the equipment they need to provide fire protection for residents. These new resources, coupled with ongoing training, will also service to protect firefighters themselves as they carry out their work.”

A new four-door pumper truck will be purchased by Fortune to help augment fire protection services to the region. The vehicle is valued at approximately $230,000.

In addition, two area fire departments have been approved for new firefighting equipment.

Department Equipment Cost-
Share
Ratio
Provincial
Share
Project
Total
Fortune 2 self-contained breathing
apparatuses (SCBA)
90/10 $10,001 $11,627
Point May Communications equipment,
including 7 pagers
90/10 $6,194 $7,201

Fire departments successful in receiving funding through the Provincial Firefighting Equipment Financial Assistance Program through Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) have applied for consideration with the support of their municipal councils and commit to cover their portion of the equipment through the previously established cost share ratios.

“I am delighted with the continued investments by our government to support our volunteer firefighters,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and the MHA for Grand Bank. “These investments will enhance the level of service in the region and ensure adequate of support for residents.”

This firefighting vehicle for Fortune is one of approximately eight new vehicles which will be purchased in partnership with communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Public tenders for new vehicles will be let in the coming weeks, with delivery anticipated for summer 2013. New emergency vehicles announced last year have arrived in Harbour Grace, Pouch Cove, Burgeo, Bonavista, Norman’s Cove-Long Cove Clarenville, Glovertown, Bay de Verde, Lourdes and Meadows, with the remaining vehicles expected throughout the fall. Based on population, Fortune will avail of the 90/10 cost-share arrangement with the Provincial Government to purchase the vehicle.

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity maintains $1.7 million in annual funding for firefighting infrastructure in addition to a $500,000 annual investment in firefighting equipment.

Since the creation of Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007, the Provincial Government has contributed more than $14.2 million towards new firefighting vehicles in the province and in excess of $4 million for equipment, with a particular focus on personal protective equipment. Combined with the municipal contribution, more than $20 million in new equipment has been infused into community fire halls throughout the province.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services -
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca
Corey Parsons
Constituency Assistant to the
Honourable Darin King
MHA for Grand Bank
709-832-2531
coreyparsons@gov.nl.ca

2012 11 26                            11:30 a.m.

 
Last Updated:
This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved.