FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2025
Gander, NL – Today, Premier John Hogan, KC, leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, joined by Liberal Candidate for Gander, Bettina Ford, announced new measures to better prepare and equip our province for future wildfires, and to support our volunteer first-responders.
This summer, our province experienced the worst wildfire season in our history. Homes were destroyed, and thousands of people endured the stress, uncertainty and hardship of being evacuated. The Cabinet Committee established to support residents and communities in Conception Bay North remains in place during the election and continues to be supported by a team of senior public service employees. Our government remains committed to being there to support affected individuals, families and communities on the North Shore as the recovery effort continues.
It is thanks to the tireless efforts of our brave firefighters, aerial asset crews, emergency responders and community volunteers that loss of life was averted, and many structures were protected.
In recognition of these efforts, our Liberal government announced $100,000 for new wildland firefighting uniforms, as well as $500 honourariums for our volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers. We also provided a $10,000 honorarium to volunteer fire departments and search and rescue teams in appreciation of their exceptional efforts. This will apply to all individuals and departments who volunteered during this unprecedented wildfire season.
To confirm this appreciation, we will introduce legislation to establish standardized reimbursement and compensation guidelines to ensure that volunteer firefighters, search and rescue members, and service organizations involved in large-scale designated emergencies receive fair compensation for their equipment, time and efforts.
A re-elected Liberal Government will also double the volunteer firefighter and search and rescue tax credit to further support those who protect our communities.
The heroic efforts of our firefighters, responders and communities, as well as a world-class fleet of water bombers and ground equipment, this fire season showed us how important it is to be prepared for the serious threat posed by climate change and future wildfires.
The Liberal Government recently allocated $4.2 million for Atlantic Wildfire Centre, with a total federal-provincial commitment of $32 million until 2030 to increase resources, enhance training and strengthen the province’s ability to tackle wildfires at home and away. A plan for the centre’s design phase is underway, as well as development of a design for infrastructure to improve support for aerial assets for the Gander and Wabush Airports.
A re-elected Liberal government will procure a heavy lift helicopter to ensure availability throughout the fire season. These aircraft played a crucial role in this season’s efforts, and we will also explore usage of the heavy lift helicopters for other emergencies. We will also complete the repair of our province’s damaged waterbomber aircraft, and procure two bird dog aircraft. Through the Atlantic Wildfire Centre, we will continue to work with our neighbouring provinces to find opportunities to share resources and equipment.
This summer’s wildfires also demonstrated the importance of having mobile incident command trailers to provide planning and communications facilities in rural areas. A Liberal government will therefore also purchase mobile incident command trailers that will be pre-deployed around the province, ready to respond on a moment’s notice.
We will also expedite training to increase the number of Incident Commanders, fire behaviour specialists, Operations Chiefs, and Air Operations Directors, to ensure this expertise is available during the fire season.
Our Liberal government will also provide funding to communities for the construction of permanent firebreaks, sprinkler systems and monitoring equipment for critical infrastructure, and to purchase more protective equipment and tools for volunteer fire departments.
Finally, we will establish a new Provincial Meritorious Service Medal to honour those volunteers and emergency services personnel who make exceptional contributions during times of crisis.
With real momentum, energy and leadership, the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is embracing our province’s tremendous opportunities to deliver a stronger future for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Media Contact:
Ben Murphy
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tel: 709-740-3156
E-mail: [email protected]