Grants Boost Public Safety in Cariboo-North

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Three local organizations have received $43,500 in funding from the provincial government for programs that focus on local public safety and search and rescue services.

The Cariboo-North organizations that have received gaming grants are:

· Big Lake Community Association: $25,000 for its Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department program.
· Horsefly Volunteer Fire Department: $12,500 for its Operations Program.
· Likely and District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Society: $6,000 for its Emergency Preparedness and Response program.

“This funding helps residents of our community be equipped with appropriate safety skills and carry on the mission of public safety and education,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes.

“As the governing body for the Big Lake Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, the Big Lake Community Association was delighted to receive a Community Gaming Grant in the public safety category,” said President of Big Lake Community Association Jack Darney. “The Fire and Rescue Department, many of whose members are qualified First Responders, responds to a wide variety of calls in this relatively isolated community—fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, search and rescue—as well as providing public education about emergencies and their prevention.”

The $43,500 in funding is being provided through the Community Gaming Grant Program that allows non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues.

“Our nearest ambulance services are over 50 kilometres away so that the fast early response by our department is an enormous help while patients or accident victims wait for an ambulance to arrive. Without the Community Gaming Grant this valuable community service would have been seriously curtailed,” added Darney.

This latest round of funding is through the Public Safety intake. Grants through this intake support public safety initiatives along with disaster relief and emergency preparedness, such as restorative justice projects and search and rescue programs.

Every year, the provincial government approves $135 million in gaming grants that benefit over 5,000 local organizations that serve communities throughout British Columbia.

Organizations interested in applying for Community Gaming Grants can find information and applications at pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming.