Community Emergency Preparedness Fund: Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment & Training

Program Category: Climate Adaptation

Program Sub-Category: Emergency Mitigation / Preparedness / Planning

Export to PDF

Status: Closed

Funder

Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)

Deadline Details

Applications were accepted from September 1, 2025 until October 31, 2025. The next intake dates are to be confirmed.

Funder Organization Type

BC Provincial Government
BC Local Government and Associations

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a suite of funding streams intended to support First Nations and local governments to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. Funding is provided by the Province of BC and is administered by UBCM.

The intent of this funding stream is to enhance the ability of volunteer fire departments and composite fire departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Ongoing operational costs and the purchase of major fire apparatus are not eligible.Eligible applicants are:

First Nations (bands and Treaty First Nations) in BC
Local governments (municipalities or regional districts) in BC
Legally incorporated society-run fire departments in BC that are in good standing
Improvement Districts that are established to provide fire protection services

Eligible Community

Eligible applicants are:

First Nations (bands, modern Treaty First Nations with treaties that are in effect, and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources) in BC
Local governments (municipalities or regional districts) in BC
Legally incorporated society-run fire departments in BC that are in good standing
Improvement Districts in BC

Eligible applicants can submit one application per intake, including regional applications or participation as a partnering applicant in a regional application.

Required Community Contribution

No community contribution required

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Yes

To ensure transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds, all other contributions for eligible portions of the project must be declared and, depending on the total value, may decrease the value of the funding. This includes any other grant funding and any revenue that is generated from activities that are funded by the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.

Application Limit per Community

Professional Input Required

Specific Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for funding, proposed activities must enhance the ability of volunteer fire departments and composite fire departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies. In addition, to qualify for funding, projects must:

A new or subsequent phase of a project (retroactive funding is not available).
Capable of completion by the applicant within one year from the date of grant approval.
Where applicable, eligible for required approvals, authorizations, and permits.
Implementing full adoption of the BC Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards.

Type of Funding

Grant

Range of Funding Available per Project

Under $100 000

Description of Funding

The Volunteer & Composite Fire Departments Equipment & Training funding stream can contribute a maximum of 100% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of $30,000.00.However, due to the number of fire departments that may be under their jurisdiction, regional districts can apply for a maximum of $30,000.00 for each fire department that they have established a service area for in a single application.

Percentage of Project Funded

100%

The Volunteer & Composite Fire Departments Equipment & Training funding stream can contribute amaximum of 100% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of $30,000.00.However, due to the number of fire departments that may be under their jurisdiction, regional districtscan apply for a maximum of $30,000.00 for each fire department that they have established a servicearea for in a single application.

Eligible Costs

Equipment/Material Purchase
Capacity Building for the Community
Training

Eligible costs are direct costs that are approved for funding, properly and reasonably incurred, and paid by the applicant to carry out eligible activities. Eligible costs can only be incurred from the date of application submission until the final report is submitted.

Ineligible Costs

Building Purchase Costs
Land Acquisition

Any activity that is not outlined in the program guide or is not directly connected to activities approved in the application is not eligible for grant funding. This includes:

Any training not identified in current BC Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards and/or in Table 1
Any equipment that is not identified in Table 2 or Table 3
Routine or ongoing operating costs or activities (e.g., heating, cooling and lighting; security; software or service subscriptions; membership fees).
Routine or ongoing planning costs or planning activities that are not incremental to the project.
Regular salaries and/or benefits of primary applicant or sub-applicant(s) staff or partners.
Duplication of recently developed information, maps, or imagery (e.g., LiDAR that is currently available through the Open LiDAR Data Portal) provided the information remains accurate.
Project-related fees payable to the primary applicant or sub-applicant(s) (e.g., permit fees).
Costs related to individual or household preparedness, including the purchase of emergency supplies (e.g., first aid kits, evacuation supplies).
Development of curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 12 education.
Purchase of promotional items, door/raffle prizes, give-away items, and/or gifts for community members (except costs related to local cultural protocols).
Use of a fire department during an emergency.
Training provided and paid for by the Office of the Fire Commissioner or the Provincial Emergency Management Training Program (if travel costs are incurred, they are eligible).
Purchase of first aid kits and/or first aid training that are required to meet Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requirements for a workplace/employer and/or intended for occupational first aid, and/or wilderness first aid.
Conferences (except the FireSmart BC Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit).
Trailers and/or canopies for utility vehicles.
Development or update of Emergency Management Plans and/or emergency response plans.
Major capital items (including major fire apparatus and vehicles) or improvements, major renovations to existing facilities and/or construction of new, permanent facilities (excluding live burn training structures).
Training or equipment intended for:
- Chainsaw operation, including basic chainsaw course.
- Search and rescue, including high angle rescue, high bank training and low/steep slope training.
- Road rescue, including electric vehicle response training, vehicle extrication training, and purchase of jaws of life, rescue struts, fire blankets, or electrical car plus
- Medical assist, including Level 3 First Aid and First Responder training, and purchase of stretcher mule or basket stretcher.
- Aircraft rescue, including airside vehicle operator permit and AVOP-D training
- Live burn training with Class A fuels.
Refer to Appendix 2 for examples of specific equipment that is not eligible for funding.

Reporting Requirements

Final report only

Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

4 months

Applicants will be advised of the status of their application within 120 days of the application deadline.