The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Pleaman Forsey, Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, reaffirmed government’s support for emergency services during the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services annual convention in Gander this weekend.

Through Budget 2026, the Provincial Government affirmed its commitment to building safer communities for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes $15,000 for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services’ annual conference, $42,000 for its annual operating grant, and $64,000 for the highly successful Learn not to Burn Program.

In addition to these investments, Budget 2026 has provided more than $7 million in new funding for equipment, supplies, staffing, volunteer firefighter training, and emergency preparedness resources. This includes $4.16 million for the Fire Vehicles and Equipment Grant Fund – a $400,000 increase in funding over previous years.

Funding was recently announced for new fire trucks and equipment for the Bay de Grave Volunteer Fire Department, Conception Harbour Volunteer Fire Department, Harbour Main-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview Fire Department, Pasadena Fire Rescue, Steady Brook-Little Rapids Regional Fire Department, Bay St. George’s South Volunteer Fire Department, and the St. George’s Fire Department. More funding under the Fire Vehicles and Equipment Grant Fund will be announced later this week.

Other recent funding for fire and emergency services includes:

• $1.7 million for 3,400 sets of wildland coveralls, and $2.9 million for P25 radios to allow for communication between all first responders. Orders from fire departments for coveralls and radios continue to be filled as they are received.
• $90,000 for ongoing ground cover (wildfire suppression) training.
• $630,000 for two specialized sprinkler trailers to protect critical infrastructure during wildfires and $120,000 to upgrade two mobile command trailers. These units were already put to good use during recent wildfires in Labrador.
• $770,000 for four enclosed trailers stocked with equipment and personal protective equipment. These trailers are stationed in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Deer Lake and Happy Valley-Goose Bay and can move to other areas in these regions when required.
• $300,000 to continue upgrading technology at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre. The centre is the heart of all types of emergencies, where partners connect and coordinate responses.

Budget 2026 also gave volunteers the break they deserve by doubling the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers.

The Provincial Government recently committed dedicated wildfire suppression resources to Labrador. This includes continuing plans to support a seasonal presence for a waterbomber in Labrador West, providing fire equipment funding for fire departments in Labrador, purchasing two dedicated structural protection units positioned in Wabush and Happy Valley-Goose Bay for use throughout Labrador, and allocating six new wildland fire fighter positions for Labrador.

In addition to an investment of approximately $2.26 million to help 58 communities develop community wildfire resiliency plans and community-based wildfire prevention/mitigation projects, a second round of funding under the Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Program was announced on September 25.

Quotes
“Firefighting is more than a profession or volunteer commitment. It is a service built on courage, teamwork and sacrifice. Firefighters and emergency responders and their families make countless sacrifices in service of this commitment. Our government remains committed to supporting firefighters – and the families who support them – in their important work. Thank you all for your service, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services members are valued partners in a wide range of emergency responses. We stand with the province’s firefighters and emergency responders to meet the challenges of protecting the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank you for your dedication to your communities and for the time and energy you devote to keeping your friends, neighbours and fellow residents safe.”
Honourable Pleaman Forsey
Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services has worked diligently to build a strong and collaborative relationship with government, serving as a trusted partner on fire service matters. While there is still work to be done, we appreciate the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ongoing support for the fire service and remain committed to working together to strengthen fire protection and public safety for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Evan Cox
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services

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