PORT MCNEILL – New Democrat MLA Michele Babchuk says that people in Port McNeill will benefit from a significant investment to enhance live fire training for local firefighters.

Funding will go towards establishing regional training hubs for local fire crews to enhance their skills and strengthen public safety, while reducing the time and costs involved in travelling to facilities further away.

“Live fire training is crucial for firefighters, especially here in the North Island where our communities are so intertwined in our forested environments,” says Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “Going to controlled environments to live fire train often means traveling and more time away from family, and I know creating opportunities to train closer to home will be so beneficial to our fire departments and community.”

The Live Fire Training project addresses challenges faced by local firefighters in accessing facilities where they can train on real fires. New regional hubs will allow firefighters in the Northern Part of Vancouver Island and across the province to better maintain and improve their skills, enhancing their abilities to keep people and buildings safe during emergencies.

The province provided $1.75 million to the Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C. for this project, with the Town of Port McNeill receiving $350,000.

This investment demonstrates the New Democrat government’s commitment to improving firefighter skills and overall fire safety in British Columbia.

Learn More:  https://news.gov.bc.ca/30325