The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Pleaman Forsey, Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, today announced funding from Budget 2026 to create safer communities for all of us.

Following through on their election commitments, Premier Wakeham and Minister Forsey announced over $7 million in new funding for equipment, supplies, staffing, volunteer firefighter training, and emergency preparedness resources. The new funding includes:

• $1.7 million for 3,400 sets of wildland coveralls.
• $90,000 for wildfire training.
• $310,000 for specialized sprinkler trailers to protect critical infrastructure during wildfires.
• $120,000 to upgrade two mobile command trailers.
• $770,000 for four regionally-stationed enclosed trailers stocked with equipment and personal protective equipment.
• $300,000 annually to upgrade technology at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre so staff can share information and stay connected during emergencies.
• $400,000 annually for the Fire Protection Vehicles and Equipment Grant Program.
• $2.9 million for P25 radios to allow for communication between all first responders, providing a vital and secure communications link for all groups responding to emergency situations, especially important in areas where cell service is poor or non-existent.

Budget 2026 will also give volunteers a break they deserve by doubling the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers. In addition, the Provincial Government will invest $412,805 to double internal staff resources to deal with emergencies.

The Provincial Government’s focus is on advancing emergency management planning and policy development, enhancing training and public safety initiatives, and strengthening collaboration with municipalities across the province to create a more coordinated emergency response framework. This will include implementing the recommendations from the recent Auditor General’s report.

Quotes
“To keep Newfoundlanders and Labradorians safe, we need to support and invest in those who protect us. Budget 2026 will provide additional resources for our emergency responders to carry out their vital work. By strengthening our commitment to emergency services, we are enhancing our ability to create safe communities for all of us.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Volunteer firefighters are the heart of safe communities, and we are committed to providing the services and resources necessary to help them do their tremendous work. Every time they answer a call, these volunteers are ready to put everything on the line for their communities. In Budget 2026, our government is here for them, for all of us.”
Honourable Pleaman Forsey
Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands

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