PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release
September 15, 2023
HARBOUR GRACE, NL — Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade receives funding for a High Angle Rescue Vehicle and a grant to replace aging equipment
On Tuesday, September 12, and Wednesday, September 13, 2023, community members, Mayor, and Town Councillors, along with members of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade, came together for two announcements.
Firstly, on Tuesday, they were joined by Premier Dr. Andrew Furey, area MHA Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, and Fire Commissioner Robert Fowler at the Brigade’s Social Building for an announcement of funding. This funding will provide $150,000, enabling the Brigade to purchase a new response unit housing all of the High Angle Rescue Team’s equipment. Presently, the Brigade’s equipment is stored in the Fire Hall and has to be exchanged with other response equipment before answering the call for assistance. The funding is based on a cost-sharing agreement between the Provincial Government and the Town of Harbour Grace. The Brigade’s High Angle Rescue Team is the only team in the area and will provide coverage from Holyrood to Bay de Verde.
Secondly, on Wednesday, they were joined by Victoria Battcock, Manager of Digital Marketing and Communications for Trades NL. Battcock presented a cheque in the amount of $7,000 to Firefighter Bobby Lynch. The funds were attained by the Brigade from an application submitted to Trades NL by Lynch in conjunction with former Fire Chief Jim Barnes. The funding is part of the Trades NL Community Giving Program which organizations applied for in the spring of 2023. The Brigade applied for the Health and Wellness Impact Grant, which is awarded to selected initiatives that will have an immediate impact on the health and well-being of communities by enhancing programming, equipment, or facilities.
Trades NL is an organization that represents 14 building trades unions in Newfoundland and Labrador. Part of their mandate is giving back to communities across the province. The money for the programs comes directed from trades people working hard every day. There are five building trades union members on the Brigade at present, and Trades NL says that without the workers, the Community Giving Program would not exist.
Speaking on behalf of Executive Director Darin King, Battcock said, “Volunteer firefighters are heroes in our communities, and we are proud to support Harbour Grace and the entire region with this donation. Bobby and Jim truly went above and beyond to ensure that we understood the importance of the high angle rescue equipment. The community should be proud of them and the entire Brigade for their dedication.”
Press release written by Robert Lynch, Fire Chief, Retired.
Photo credit: Jocelyn Ledwell.
Photo No. 1: Surrounded by Brigade members are Minister Pam Parsons and Premier Dr. Andrew Furey.
Photo No. 2: Surrounded by Brigade members are Chief Dave Earle, Firefighter Bobby Lynch, and Manager of Digital Marketing and Communications for Trades NL Victoria Battcock.