Canadian Red Cross supports communities to upgrade fire equipment and training in Manitoba following 2025 wildfires

The Canadian Red Cross has announced the 2025 Manitoba Fire Equipment and Training Fund to assist with ongoing wildfire recovery and resiliency efforts following last year’s fires. 

The 2025 Manitoba Fire Equipment and Training Fund provides grants to eligible fire departments and communities that were impacted by the 2025 Manitoba Wildfires. The financial assistance will help to support minor equipment purchases and wildland firefighter training for fire departments serving First Nations, as well as municipalities that responded to or were impacted by the 2025 Manitoba wildfires. This funding is intended to help communities and local fire departments address the needs identified during the wildfire response and strengthen their ability to respond to future wildfire events.

Funding available

• Communities with a population of 1,999 people or less can apply for between $10,000 to $100,000 in funding.
• Communities with a population of 2,000 to 5,000 people can apply for between $10,000 to $200,000 in funding.

Who can apply for funding

• Indigenous governments, municipalities, and regional communities that were directly impacted by the 2025 Manitoba wildfires may apply on behalf of their fire department.
• Communities with a population of 5,000 people or less that responded to the 2025 Manitoba wildfires by hosting people who were evacuated, sent in fire crews, or otherwise provided support to communities impacted by the wildfires.

For the full list of eligibility requirements, as well as application information for the 2025 Manitoba Fire Equipment and Training Fund, please visit www.redcross.ca/2025ManitobaWildfires/grants.

Applications for the 2025 Manitoba Fire Equipment and Training Fund will be accepted until June 30, 2026. 

Alongside this new program, the Canadian Red Cross continues its ongoing recovery support to individuals impacted by the 2025 Manitoba wildfires. For more information on support available, please visit www.redcross.ca/2025ManitobaWildfires.

QUOTE:

“Not only are first responders an essential part of a disaster response; they also have a vital role in preparing communities for future events such as wildfires. This financial assistance will help to support community fire departments by strengthening their ability to respond through training and the purchasing of minor equipment. We continue to collaborate with Indigenous leadership and provincial, municipal, and federal governments to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by the wildfires as they move through recovery, as well as increase their resiliency and disaster readiness.”

–  Luc Mullinder, vice-president, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut, Canadian Red Cross
 

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Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supporting them in strengthening their resilience.

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