2025 R05 – Volunteer Fire Department Funding Model
- Year: 2025
- AVICC Number: R05
- UBCM Number: EB5
- Sunshine Coast RD
Whereas volunteer fire departments in rural and remote areas are burdened with longer and more frequent call outs to attend downed powerlines, motor vehicle incidents and other emergency calls until BC Hydro or BC Ambulance arrives on scene:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to review the funding model for volunteer fire departments to include reasonable and proportional funding from BC Hydro, BC Ambulance, and ICBC to reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
- Year: 2025
- AVICC Number: R05
- Sponsor: Sunshine Coast RD
- Resolution Type: Provincial
- Category: Health and Social Development
- AVICC Decision: Endorsed
- AVICC Action: Forwarded to UBCM
- AVICC Response link
- UBCM Number: EB5
- UBCM Decision: Endorsed
- Provincial Response:Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs Volunteer fire departments provide a critical role as first responders in rural and remote areas throughout the province. Property taxation is the primary source of funding for volunteer fire departments in BC. Fundraising, donations and some service fees are other sources of funding. The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness EMCR administers the Road Rescue program that applies to out of jurisdiction responses. EMCR continues to collaborate with partners to improve the Road Rescue program. Recent consultations with the Fire Chiefs Association of BC have led to increases to out-of-jurisdiction vehicle rates, and the addition of a Type 1 Structure Engine rate which was previously unavailable for out-of-jurisdiction road rescue. EMCR continues to collaborate with partner ministries to explore funding opportunities for motor vehicle incident responses. The Province does not provide direct or grant based operational funding for local government services, including emergency services. The Canada Community Building Fund includes an eligible category that supports capital expenditures on fire trucks, and fire halls and fire station infrastructure. Since 2017, more than 26 million has been provided to volunteer and composite fire departments through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund CEPF for additional equipment and training. This funding also helps fire departments meet the BC structure-firefighter training standards established by the Office of the Fire Commissioner OFC.
- UBCM Response link
The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of theCoast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka’wakw Peoples