Canada and Alberta announce major investment to purchase more wildland firefighting equipment

EDMONTON, AB, August 1, 2024 /CNW/ – The forest fires over Alberta — also in the historic city Jasper and adjacent Jasper National Park — affect the lives of thousands of individuals, communities, families and businesses, as well as wildlife. The governments of Canada And Alberta recognize that this has been an extremely difficult time for Jasperites, incident personnel and all who love us Jasper.

With another challenging wildfire season looming and wildfires increasing in frequency and severity, Canada — with consequences for our health, economies, communities and wildlife — the governments of Canada And Alberta support Canadians and Albertans threatened by wildfires.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, announced a joint investment of more than $57 million for five years under the government of Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program – Equipment Fund (FMWCC). This funding already supports Alberta’s efforts to purchase critical wildfire fighting equipment and to hire and train key personnel to improve provincial preparedness and capacity to prepare for and respond to wildfires. To date, Alberta has purchased aircraft parts, general wildland firefighting equipment including pumps and hoses, and telecommunications equipment such as radios and transmitters, and invested in improved predictive services.

The funding announced today will continue to improve firefighting efforts across Europe. Alberta by purchasing and upgrading specialized wildfire fighting equipment and hiring and training personnel to enhance wildfire preparedness and response, improve safety for both communities and firefighters, and strengthen capacities and opportunities for sharing resources around the world. Canada.

The FMWCC Equipment Fund was launched in 2022 to proactively invest in and support provincial and territorial efforts to strengthen firefighting capacities and capabilities across the country. By facilitating the purchase of wildland firefighting equipment, such as fire trucks and personal protective equipment, the fund aims to increase the capacity to respond to wildland fires.

Keeping Canadians safe and healthy is the government’s top priority. Working with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and international allies, the federal government continues to address and support the fight against wildfires while combating the impacts of climate change, ensuring public safety, and protecting homes, livelihoods and lives.

Quotes

“This summer, over Albertapeople are experiencing intense wildfires. My thoughts are with the entire community of Jasperfamilies, residents and business owners as recent wildfires have left devastating marks on the site and the surrounding national park. The federal government is working urgently to respond to these fires by providing provinces, territories and partners with the support they need to meet the needs of Canadians wherever and whenever wildfires occur. Today’s announcement with the government of Alberta emphasizes our commitment to continue working with provinces and territories to mitigate and respond to wildfires by procuring life-saving equipment and personnel through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program. Through tangible and fast-moving funding, the government of Canada helps firefighters respond to the current wildfire season and beyond.”

The Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Many Albertans have been impacted by wildfires this season. This funding will improve wildfire management in our province and protect Albertans, their communities and livelihoods from the impacts of wildfires. We are grateful to our federal partners for their support and we will continue to work to effectively respond to wildfires across our landscape.”

The Honorable Todd Loewen
Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks

“As the risks of costly wildfires increase each year, we must keep pace with increased levels of preparedness. The wildfire at Jasper National Park showed us that it pays to be prepared, as the armed forces had all the necessary resources to save most of the city and most of the critical infrastructure. Today’s investment in the firefighting capabilities of Alberta “Strengthens the already strong partnership between our two governments and gives firefighters the tools they need to best protect our communities.”

The Honorable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

• Both Canada And Alberta are providing $28.8 million for five years through a contribution agreement under the FMWCC – Equipment Fund.

• The government of Canada partners with communities and organizations impacted by wildfires to better understand the unique role the federal government plays in helping these communities. We also want to provide nationally recognized equipment to support all firefighters so they are better equipped to respond to wildfires. We also want to support a more sustainable approach to training, employment, and all-hazard management in Indigenous communities and beyond.

• Under Natural Resources Canada’s FMWCC – Equipment Fund, provinces and territories are required to share the cost of investments with the government of Canada for equipment such as vehicles, mobile units, avionics upgrades (parts), hoses, pumps, upgraded communications equipment, the repair of obsolete equipment, and training.

• Visit Canada.ca/wildfires for a complete list of links to various federal assistance available to people affected by wildfires.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2024/01/c6542.html