Alberta's Volunteer Firefighters drifting away as funding shrinks

BY CONAL PIERSE, EDMONTON JOURNAL June 23, 2010

Recruitment numbers and government funding for volunteer fire departments are shrinking, the president of the Alberta Association of Firefighters says.

Alberta's volunteer fire departments receive $500,000 a year, which Cornforth said only covers basic training. He said many firefighters have to raise money to buy equipment. It would be time better spent training, he said, adding volunteers need more support.

"We're just borrowing these people from their families," Cornforth said. "We need to support them with proper training, proper equipment and proper recognition."

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