Moyie Volunteer Fire Dept. earns $15,000 communications upgrade : My East Kootenay Now

The Moyie Volunteer Fire Department has received a $15,000 KENWOOD Cares communications equipment grant.

JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc. awarded the grant in recognition of the department’s dedication and commitment to safety, according to a news release.

“This support from KENWOOD not only strengthens our operational capabilities but also shows that the dedication of small rural departments like ours are recognized and valued,” said Bill Sanderman, Administrator of Moyie Volunteer Fire Department. 

MVFD runs solely on unpaid volunteers and depends on fundraising and small grants to grow their operations. The department recently finished construction of its first firehall, a major milestone achieved through community fundraising and volunteer labour.

“The Moyie Volunteer Fire Department is extremely grateful to receive the KENWOOD Cares Award, as it comes at a time when funding for small rural volunteer fire departments is increasingly difficult to secure,” said Sanderman.

With the new equipment, the department plans to focus on training and enhancing emergency response across the region. The grant will support the purchase of a modern communications system to improve operations, emergency response and firefighter safety.

The KENWOOD team and MVFD chose the NX-3000 series portable two-way radios, high capacity batteries, and heavy duty headsets. The new equipment will be assembled by a KENWOOD team at Kootenay Communications in Cranbrook.

The advanced gear is a necessary improvement from the older radios the firefighters have been utilizing.

“The $15,000 in radio communications equipment that we will receive makes a tremendous difference in our ability to respond effectively and safely to emergencies. Reliable communication is vital to the coordination of our firefighters, especially in rural areas with challenging terrain and limited infrastructure.” said Sanderman.

The community grant program KENWOOD Cares supports volunteer emergency response organizations across the country by supplying key communications equipment that improve safety and impact in the field. 

Applications for the next round of the KENWOOD Cares program are now open as JVCKENWOOD Canada inc. will award another $15,000 communications equipment grant to a Canadian volunteer emergency organization.

The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026, visit www.kenwoodcares.ca for eligibility requirements and information on how to apply.

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