Following a groundbreaking ceremony on September 17, 2014, construction of the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Association’s Burn Fund Centre has reached grade. As readers may already know, Concert has been donating development and project management services to the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Association in order to realize their vision for a building which will truly make a difference in the lives of burn survivors and their families.
At the core of the project is filling the desperate need for temporary accommodations for out-of-town burn survivors and their families during treatment and recovery. Vancouver offers the only Level 1 burn and trauma centre in the Province, so patients come from across BC and the Yukon for treatment at either the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn, Plastic & Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital or at the Burn Program at BC Children’s Hospital. By incorporating eight affordable, temporary housing suites, the Burn Fund Centre will allow out-of-town burn survivors and their families to stay together during the recovery process in a supportive environment. In addition to the housing component, there will be amenity areas where families can seek the support of others who can relate to their experiences both informally and through regular support meetings for burn survivors.
Ninety-five percent of the needed funds have already been secured, including $1.3 million in pledges from professional Fire Fighters’ Locals around the Province; a donation of land from the City of Vancouver; $750,000 in donated services from Concert and a $4 million investment from the Province of British Columbia.
To learn more about this worthy cause, or to make a donation, click here.