October 5, 2020
Province Launches $5-Million Fund for Fire Protection Grants as Part of Fire Prevention Week
– – –Fire Prevention Week Runs October 4 to 10: Squires
The Manitoba government has created a one-time, $5-million fund to provide fire protection grants to support fire protection and emergency response across the province, Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, announced today.
“Safety is our government’s number one priority and we are making investments that will help reduce the devastation caused by structural fires,” said Squires. “This fund will help local governments deliver long-term fire protection and public safety that they might not otherwise have been able to provide to their residents and businesses.”
The Fire Protection Grant will be open to municipalities and Northern Affairs communities, and will support projects or activities that improve fire protection or emergency response in those communities or mutual aid districts. Eligible fire protection projects includes items such as preparedness planning, training and safety equipment.
“As community safety is paramount, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) welcomes provincial investments to enhance fire protection services in local communities,” said Ralph Groening, president, AMM. “We also appreciate the opportunity to review and provide feedback on project applications in partnership with the province.”
This announcement coincides with Fire Prevention Week and a campaign designed with this year’s theme to educate everyone about actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in Canada. The majority of reported home fires started in the kitchen with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities across the province, contact the OFC at www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca. To learn more about how to stay fire safe in your home, visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website at www.firepreventionweek.org or www.sparky.org/fpw.
Further information on who can apply for the Fire Protection Grant, what projects are eligible and how each proposal will be evaluated can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/grants/grant-department.html#mr.
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