Targeted investments will help keep communities safe during emergencies
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TORONTO — Treasury Board Secretariat – The Ontario government is investing $5 million in communities across the province to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies. Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant to help communities and organizations purchase critical supplies, equipment and deliver training and services.
“Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, our government is stepping up to ensure Ontario is safe, practiced and prepared for any type of emergency,” said Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Emergency Management. “From floods to wildland fires, these targeted investments will empower communities and organizations to enhance their emergency response. Whether it’s building up our local fire departments or enabling more efficient search and rescue operations, our government is giving communities the tools and resources they need to keep people safe.”
The funding is supporting 113 recipients across Ontario including municipalities, local services boards, First Nation communities, Tribal Councils, Indigenous service organizations and non-governmental organizations with mandates in emergency preparedness.
Recipients of the grant include:
- The Township of Adelaide Metcalfe is receiving $15,600 to purchase a thermal imaging drone, making it safer and more efficient to conduct search and rescue missions during severe weather events.
- Bimose Tribal Council is receiving $43,467 to establish an emergency operations centre for their 10 First Nation member communities, which will house air purifiers, first aid kits, sleep kits, backpacks and other emergency equipment.
- The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is receiving $50,000 to improve access to emergency pet food, supplies and transport carriers in northern Ontario during emergencies.
- The Rosemont District Fire Department is receiving $22,206 to purchase firefighting equipment including a hose, nozzles, forestry pump, collapsible water backpack, hand pumps, a drone and a radio system.
The Community Emergency Preparedness Grant is part of the $110 million the government earmarked over the next three years to strengthen emergency preparedness in Ontario. The province will continue to make substantial investments and expand training programs to support Ontario’s whole-of-government approach to emergency management and response.
Quick Facts
- Eligible applicants had to be located in Ontario and include:
- Non-governmental organizations that have a mandate in emergency preparedness
- Local services boards
- First Nation communities; Indigenous organizations, including Tribal Councils; and other Indigenous service organizations that support emergency management programming in First Nation communities
- Small- and medium-sized municipalities (those with populations under 100,000 as per Statistics Canada data from 2021)
- Recipients were selected through a rigorous and competitive review process.
- The Community Emergency Preparedness Grant is one of the ways the government is ensuring that communities are as safe and prepared as possible. Earlier this month, Ontario released its first annual report on the Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, reporting on progress made in 2023 to move emergency management forward.
- On May 7-9, 2024, the province will host Exercise Heatwave, a simulated heat-related emergency taking place with participating municipalities that will practise response procedures working in partnership with others.
Quotes
“We are grateful to the Ontario Government for their support through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. With their partnership, we are better equipped to support and care for our furry companions and their families when they need it most.”
– Arista Wogenstahl
Northern Regional Manager, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
“The Township and the Adelaide Metcalfe Fire Department are grateful for the funding received through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. This funding will allow our amazing team of volunteer firefighters to safely enhance search and rescue efforts while providing support to neighbouring communities when called upon.”
– Sue Clarke
Mayor, Township of Adelaide Metcalfe
“On behalf of the Rosemont District Fire Department, the residents of the Town of Mono and the Townships of Mulmur and Adjala-Tosorontio, I would like to thank the Province of Ontario and Emergency Management Ontario for the generous grant. The funds received will greatly enhance our abilities to provide a higher level of service in our coverage area as well as the ability to assist our mutual aid partners throughout Dufferin County and the southwestern portion of Simcoe County. Our volunteer firefighters strive to provide the highest level of service possible and the equipment that we will be purchasing through this grant will greatly aid us in being the best that we can possibly be.”
– Mike Blacklaws
Fire Chief, Rosemont District Fire Department
“On behalf of the ten First Nations we serve, we are thankful to be selected as a recipient of the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. Our Emergency Management Coordinator will be rolling out distribution of supplies that will support Emergency Operation Command Centres and enhance wildfire smoke mitigation efforts.”
– Fawn Wapioke
Executive Director, Bimose Tribal Council
Additional Resources
- Community Emergency Preparedness Grant
- Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan
- Emergency Management Ontario
Related Topics
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Media Contacts
Andrea Chiappetta
Minister’s Office
Andrea.Chiappetta@ontario.ca
437-677-2405
Kyle Richardson
Communications Branch
Kyle.Richardson5@ontario.ca
647-262-3176