The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) is aiming to expand its FireSmart efforts over the next two years with the help of a $1-million grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities’ Community Resiliency Investment program.
The program provides financial help for regional and municipal governments to support FireSmart needs, education and equipment, maxing out at $550,000 per year and $1.1 million over two years.
The CSRD has applied for this grant for almost 10 years according to the regional fire chief, Sean Coubrough.
Through this funding over the last year, a coordinator, full time wildfire specialists and staff members have all be trained to provide FireSmart home assessments to more than 1,600 residences.
The CSRD board vote unanimously in favouring of applying for the grant.
