Municipalities NL is pleased with money set aside in the provincial budget to help support towns and cities.

MNL says funding to support fire departments responding to incidents outside municipal boundaries has not changed in a decade, yet costs increased “sharply” over that same period.

MNL says municipal fire departments, many of which are largely staffed by volunteers, are increasingly called upon to respond to calls, including traffic accidents, outside municipal boundaries.

The umbrella group for towns and cities is pleased to see that this year’s budget includes funding increases to municipal fire services and increases for training of municipal council and staff.

Municipal Operating Grants increased this year by $3 million, and MNL President Amy Coady says they’re pleased that government heard their concerns.