In Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, a local distribution centre recently served as the central hub for a province-wide effort to provide 32 volunteer fire departments with new equipment to help fight wildfires. On March 17, 2026, the charity GlobalMedic worked with partners to send out specialized gear designed to turn regular pickup trucks into firefighting vehicles.
The equipment, known as fire skid units, includes a 1,000-litre water tank, a high-pressure pump, and a hose system. These units are a cost-effective way for smaller towns to prepare for emergencies, as they cost about $4,000 each compared to $1.4 million for a full-sized fire truck. Because the gear fits in the back of a pickup truck, crews can reach wooded areas and rough terrain that are often too difficult for large engines to access.
This donation comes after a difficult year for the province, which saw 249 wildfires in 2025. This was more than double the usual average of 118 fires and resulted in 248 structures being damaged or destroyed across the region. During the crisis, 3,590 people registered for help with the Canadian Red Cross.
The distribution was made possible through a partnership between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Loblaw Companies Limited, which provided space at its warehouse to organize the equipment. This effort follows a recent $12.8 million investment by the provincial and federal governments to improve community safety and wildfire prevention.
