Some of the money donated in response to last summer's destructive Bush Creek East wildfire is going towards bolstering resources at North Shuswap fire departments.
On Wednesday, July 17, the Anglemont Fire Department shared via social media that the Anglemont Firefighters' Association had received a cheque for $48,525 from the Shuswap Community Foundation (SCF). The money is going towards a water cannon for the department's fire engine, allowing its firefighters to do “pump and roll" fire prevention along local roads. The money is also going towards roof-top sprinklers and to purchase of a self-contained breathing apparatus for fighting structure fires.
"We appreciate this investment in keeping our community safe," said the association.
The SCF allocated a total of $165,000 to be divided among the North Shuswap's three fire hall associations, including Celista and Scotch Creek. The money comes from the SCF's Emergency Response Fund, which has raised close to $1 million since it was launched in August 2023, after the Bush Creek East wildfire destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure in the area.
"The dollars available to the fire halls are sort of for needs over and above what is available in their annual budgets," SCF executive director Roger Parenteau told the Observer. "So one of the halls has gotten back to us and they’re looking at community fire suppression equipment that they would like to purchase. The other two halls are discussing among their associations how they would like to see the funds best used."
The SCF is continuing its emergency response fundraising campaign, as there is still a need.
"There’s still a great deal of need over there and anything helps…," said Parenteau.
For more information, visit shuswapfoundation.ca.
