Travelling for medical reasons can be financially and mentally challenging.
A firefighter living in Bay St. Lawrence could have to drive almost 500 kilometres for their child’s appointment at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax - a minimum of five to six hours one-way, possibly requiring overnight accommodations, as well as meals and other incidental expenses.
“Costs associated with travelling great distances to medical appointments, or recuperating from an illness or injury, can quickly add up, significantly impacting a family’s financial resources,” says Martin Walton, president of Nova Scotia Firefighters Benevolent Fund (NSFBF), said during a telephone interview.
“We want to relieve those pressures.”
The NSFBF recently received approval as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act to help firefighters in need.
“It’s a great feeling, not just for me, but for our entire team,” Walton added. “It’s amazing to finally officially launch the fund.”
All active volunteers, career, provincial, federal, and Indigenous firefighters in Nova Scotia will be eligible for funding consideration, provided they meet NSFBF eligibility and disbursement criteria.
Although many firefighters are covered by the provincial workers' compensation, there may be times when funds are needed urgently and coverage is lacking or non-existent.
“Despite initiatives provided by government, such as line-of-duty death benefit and presumptive cancer benefits provided to fire service members through our healthcare system, and insurance carried by many career departments, most firefighters are left without a safety net in times of acute crisis,” Walton said.
Funds will be dispersed to help firefighters cover unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, such as fuel, parking, meals, and accommodations incurred during trips to appointments with out-of-town medical practitioners.
Applications for funding will be handled through fire chiefs or their designates throughout the province. The identities of firefighters receiving financial assistance will remain confidential.
Lyle Donovan is a volunteer member of the disbursement committee. “The fund is about helping firefighters who give their all, and are committed to their community,” said the fire services coordinator for Victoria County, Cape Breton. “It’s a wonderful plan.”
According to the Nova Scotia Office of the Fire Marshal, there are approximately 7,500 volunteer firefighters and 450 paid firefighters operating out of 271 fire departments in the province.
“I want to help out and do my part, to make sure all firefighters are covered, and everybody gets a fair deal,” added Donovan, who is also the Victoria Emergency Management coordinator.
COVID challenges
The NSFBF was founded by five Lunenburg County firefighters who watched fellow firefighters go through illness and family emergencies. They decided to start the provincial charity to help colleagues with life-changing emergencies.
The founding board of directors includes Walton, a captain with Lunenburg and District Fire Department; Dave Robb, deputy chief, Lunenburg and District Fire Department; Andy Wentzell, deputy chief, Bridgewater Fire Department; Peter Simpson, firefighter and medical first responder, Dayspring and District Fire Department; and Will Brooks, founder, and past-president of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The board is expected to expand to include representation from all regions of the province.
The group started planning the initiative in 2019, working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to set up a fund that will get money in the hands of the people that need it.
A fundraising committee is also in place, reaching out to corporations, businesses, community organizations, fire service groups, and individuals.
“Fundraising in a pandemic is a challenge,” Walton said.
They did get some help. A prominent British Columbia home builder anonymously donated $5,000. Cast members of the reality show The Curse of Oak Island - a multi-season television series that follows an eclectic team of treasure hunters searching for legendary treasure on the infamous island off Nova Scotia's South Shore - also supported the fund.
The committee is still looking for more fundraising initiatives. One suggestion brought up at a recent meeting is to work with accommodations providers to secure a reduced rate for firefighters travelling to out-of-town appointments.
“We aren’t finished,” Donovan said. “We want to continue making things better for firefighters.”
Donations are accepted through NSFBF.com. The fund is a registered charity with tax receipts issued for donations $20 and greater.
