According to Newfoundland & Labrador’s Department of Justice and Public Safety, 13 communities in the province will receive funding for fire protection vehicles.
The $2.8 million investment comes under the Fire Protection Vehicle Program, which aims to improve emergency response infrastructure.
The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, made the announcement at the Bay Roberts Fire Station.
He was joined by the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, and MHA for Harbour Grace – Port de Grave.
The Bay Roberts Fire Rescue will receive more than $450,000 to acquire a new pumper truck.
The funding follows cost-sharing criteria based on community population.
For example, municipalities with fewer than 3,000 people receive funding at an 80/20 ratio, while communities with 3,000–7,000 people follow a 70/30 split.
A flat $100,000 contribution is available for the purchase of new pumper and tanker vehicles.
In addition to the vehicle program, last week saw a $730,000 investment to procure fire protection equipment for 39 volunteer fire departments.
This includes gear such as bunker suits, portable pumps, cylinders, and vehicle extraction tools.
This funding builds on a prior $4.2 million allocation in September 2024 to replace over 400 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units.
Both initiatives aim to enhance the safety and efficiency of firefighting teams across the province.
Minister Davis highlighted the critical role of these investments: “We recognize the importance of our brave and dedicated volunteer fire departments.
“It’s why we doubled the budget for fire protection vehicles and equipment in recent years.”
The Provincial Government has also increased funding for municipal fire departments by $400,000 in Budget 2024.
This additional funding supports departments responding to incidents outside their municipal boundaries.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment extends to operational support and educational campaigns.
Approximately $121,000 is provided annually to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services to cover operating expenses and public safety initiatives like the Learn Not to Burn campaign.
Minister Parsons reiterated the importance of local firefighter support: “We all sleep easier at night knowing they are willing and ready to respond to an emergency call.”
Bay Roberts Fire Rescue is among the beneficiaries of the vehicle funding.
Fire Chief Michael Murphy acknowledged the significance of the investment: “This funding announcement benefits 13 fire departments across Newfoundland and Labrador, providing residents with the proper infrastructure needed to keep our community’s safe.”
The new equipment is expected to enhance safety and response capabilities for both firefighters and the communities they serve.
Newfoundland & Labrador’s Department of Justice and Public Safety announced $2.8 million in funding for 13 communities under the Fire Protection Vehicle Program.
The program supports municipalities with cost-shared funding for fire vehicles, such as pumper trucks.
The announcement included over $450,000 allocated to Bay Roberts Fire Rescue for a new vehicle.
Additional funding of $730,000 for firefighting equipment and $4.2 million for SCBA unit replacements were revealed in separate announcements.
These initiatives are part of a broader commitment to enhancing fire department resources, which also includes increased budget allocations and ongoing support for fire safety education.
