While emergency situations may cause uncertainty, stress, and anxiety, Alberta's local fire services are there to help out.
The province's local fire services hold a leading role in helping to ensure Albertans can make their way through those uncertain times through their quick response and education around fire safety and prevention.
Because of that, the Alberta government is providing some extra funds this year to help strengthen the public's safety during emergency situations.
The Alberta government is providing $585,0000 to support municipal fire services in the province and the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA).
Of that money, the AFCA will receive $85,000 so they can improve their core competency tool, which is used by municipalities to conduct risk assessments, develop appropriate fire service response plans, and determine their training needs.
This grant is to help build upon a $200,000 grant the AFCA received in 2024 to strengthen provincial fire reporting.
Through core competency tool updates and the improvements made to reporting, municipal leaders will be in a better position to make well-informed decisions about their local fire services and the protection strategies in the community.
Not only that, but a committee will also be established by the provincial government to help strengthen the ties between the provincial government, local governments, and fire services to grow public safety.
The provincial fire liaison committee will be made up of municipal, First Nations, Métis, and fire service representatives, and the diversity of the committee representatives will help to make sure that numerous demographics, community sizes, skill sets, and fire department structures are considered.
The committee is expected to be in place later this year.
"We are committed to public safety and improving how we support our brave and dedicated fire services," explained the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ric McIver, in a recent media release. "We appreciate the valuable feedback we received during our fire service review and look forward to the ongoing dialogue and collaboration we’ll achieve through the Provincial Fire Liaison Committee."
When emergencies happen, municipalities and their fire services are commonly the first line of defense, which emphasizes the importance that firefighters receive the training that best reflects the industry's best standards.
To help make sure that firefighters in Alberta have access to the best possible training, the provincial government is providing a one-time additional $500,000 to the Fire Services Training Program, bringing the total amount of funding up to $1 million this year for training grants.
These training grants are available for all municipalities, Métis Settlements, and First Nations communities in Alberta, and will help to ensure firefighters are prepared with the proper knowledge and skills they require to deal with emergency situations.
To learn more about the grants and how to apply, click here.