Penticton Firefighters Local 1399 donated $25,000 to the B.C. Professional Firefighers’ Burn Fund to help build accommodations for burn and trauma patients and their family caregivers in Vancouver.
“I have never been more proud of the fire fighters of our province than I am today,” said Michael Hurley, President of the burn fund at the groundbreaking ceremony in September.
The Penticton firefighters raised money through fundraising events and direct payroll deductions. Teaming up with Vernon Fire Fighters Local 1517 and West Kelowna Fire Fighters Local 4457, who each also raised $25,000, provided an opportunity to directly sponsor the library/common area of the new Burn Fund Centre.
The province’s critical shortfall in accommodation for burn and trauma patients means that patients’ health may be compromised when they have to return home sooner than medically advised, or live in accommodations not suited to recovery from a burn or trauma injury.
The Ministry of Health and B.C. Housing provided $4 million to support the development of the centre, which is still in need of $1 million. The final product will include eight free, short-term-stay furnished accommodation suites. a library, outdoor spaces, family kitchen and central offices for the BC Professional Firefighters Association and Burn Fund.