Firefighters across Alberta play a critical role in the public safety of communities. Besides fighting fires, municipal firefighters provide first response to medical emergencies and other disasters, conduct search and rescue operations, and educate the public about fire safety and prevention.
Investing in services that support municipalities in strengthening public safety is a top priority for the government. Strong partnerships are key to keeping Albertans safe, which includes keeping firefighters safe. To help with that ongoing work, Alberta’s government is providing grants totalling $700,000 to municipalities and the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA) for research and training.
“Public safety is always a priority, and our government recognizes that strong partnerships are key to keeping Albertans safe. We are pleased to work together with the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association to improve firefighting services for all Albertans. We remain committed to ensuring Alberta municipalities have access to excellent firefighting resources and information.”
It is vital that local fire services are equipped to respond safely and effectively to all emergencies, and firefighters are able to receive training in alignment with industry best practices. To ensure this, Alberta’s government provides ongoing support to municipal fire services through annual grants for fire services training. A total of $500,000 in grants through the Fire Services Training Program is provided each year to help fire departments cover costs such as fire services course fees and training materials. All municipalities, Metis Settlements, and First Nations communities in Alberta are eligible for these grants, which help prepare firefighters with the knowledge and skills they need to protect their communities.
Fire hazards, risks and responses change regularly and it is absolutely critical that local firefighters have all the information they need to be able to respond quickly, safely and efficiently. Research is needed to help local firefighting experts identify the specific data they need, the best ways to collect it, and how municipalities can use it to mitigate risks.
To accomplish this work, a one-time $200,000 grant will help the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association to research and develop recommendations for how to strengthen provincial fire data reporting. Improving the quality of fire data reporting will put municipal leaders in a better position to make well-informed decisions about local fire services and protection strategies for their communities.
“We are encouraged by the Alberta Government's commitment to supporting the AFCA's Fire Services Data project, which involves researching a fire services data mechanism to enable data-driven decision-making. The $200,000 grant to enhance fire data reporting is a testament to the power of collaboration between the government and fire services.”
Quick facts
- In Alberta, municipalities are responsible for determining local fire service levels and organization, budgets and training.
- The Alberta Fire Chiefs Association promotes, supports and facilitates fire protection and related emergency services, and advocates on behalf of fire chiefs and departments in Alberta.