Whereas volunteer fire departments provide emergency firefighting response services to communities throughout British Columbia while struggling to meet the increasing costs driven by expanded regulations and compliance requirements, increasing demand for services and changes in the legal environment; And whereas the Province of BC does not contribute directly to the delivery of fire services by local volunteer fire departments making service delivery very challenging for small fire departments and communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia set up a program to provide ongoing funding to all volunteer fire departments to assist in the annual operating costs associated with purchase and maintenance of capital infrastructure and equipment, training, and administration of the fire service.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Office of the Fire Commissioner OFC provides advice and guidance to fire departments and local government with respect to fire safety, fire prevention and fire code enforcement. The OFCs mandate also provides for the establishment of training standards. The Provincial Government does not have the mandate to provide for the delivery of structure fire services. However, local governments can choose to provide fire services and the related costs are borne by the local government for both career and volunteer fire department models. Where a fire service is established outside of local government authority, then the organization providing the fire service is responsible for its related costs and meeting any statutory obligations that are applicable to fire departments.