Newfoundland and Labrador's volunteer fire departments are woefully resourced, Liberal Leader Gerry Reid says.

During weekend campaigning for the Oct. 9 election, Reid said a Liberal government would provide an annual grant of $5,000 to each volunteer fire department.

"That hasn't been done in the past," Reid said during a stop in Buchans.

"The only funding that these individuals get, comes from events that they do themselves to raise money on a volunteer basis."

Keith Higdon, the assistant fire chief in Buchans, said such a grant would equal one-fourth of his department's entire budget.

"Five thousand dollars ain't going to get you a lot, but when you're in a little, tiny volunteer fire department with only 20-odd members — $5,000 to us is a lot of money," he said.

Higdon said the department would use the money to replace aging equipment, including old boots and hats.