A new fire truck should soon grace the halls of the Cumberland Fire Department.
Under a new provincial program, the Cumberland Fire Rescue Society (CFRS) is applying for up to $250,000 in grant funding towards the purchase of a new fire engine.
The funding would come from a B.C. government program that allots a total of $5 million to non-profit organizations for capital projects. Eligible projects include the purchase of fixed capital assets, including vehicles. Applicants can apply for a maximum of $250,000.
As an NPO “operating primarily for community benefit,” the CFRS is eligible to apply.
Cumberland fire chief Mike Williamson said most of the department’s equipment is old and needs to be replaced soon. He said a new engine needs to be bought anyway and that the grant program is perfect timing.
“Our front line engine is 23 years old so we’ve been planning to purchase a new engine,” he said. “We’re planning to purchase the engine in the next year.”
The grant program is merit-based, meaning not every group that applies will be successful. But Williamson is optimistic.
“We have as good a chance as anybody,” he said. “We have support from the Village, we have all the documentation, so I don’t see why we wouldn’t get the grant.”
At its Sept. 18 meeting, the Village of Cumberland discussed the CFRS’ plans and approved committing matching funds up to $250,000 to the society if its application is successful. (The CFRS had written a letter to Council requesting matching funds).
“You don’t get a ‘no’ if you don’t apply, so I think it’s worthwhile and I support this moving forward,” said councillor Roger Kishi at the Sept. 18 meeting.
“[But] there are a few grey areas with this application and with the amount of money being out there — $5 million for the whole province — I think it will likely be over-subscribed. And if there are grey areas, the application might not go as far as we would hope.”
According to Village of Cumberland staff, the Village has been saving for a new fire engine for roughly five years and currently has $267,210 set aside for the expense.
The estimated cost of the new fire engine is $500,000. Williamson said the truck should be bought by September 2018.
The deadline for the CFRS to apply for the funding grant is Sept. 30.