Ontario Investing in Local Emergency Preparedness

Investments to be made in New Tecumseth

Targeted investments will help keep communities safe during emergencies 

                                                                                                                                              

Town of New Tecumseth, ON — Today, Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey announced that the Ontario government is investing $49,987 in the Corporation of the Town of New Tecumseth to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies. Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, a $5 million investment to help communities and organizations purchase critical supplies, equipment and deliver training and services.  

“We never know when funds like this will be needed, but it’s vital we are prepared when the unexpected happens, and our communities need help,” said MPP Brian Saunderson. “We’ve all seen extreme weather recently, and the damage it can do. Taking appropriate measures before emergencies occur is the responsible thing to do.” 

The Town of New Tecumseth will use this funding to help the New Tecumseth Fire Rescue to obtain emergency equipment including a drone, basket stretcher, anchor man trailer, chainsaws, rescue blade and helmet lights. 

“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 Trevor Jones, Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “From floods to wildland fires, these targeted investments will empower communities and organizations to enhance their emergency response. Whether it’s building up 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.  

“Being prepared in case of an emergency is extremely important in ensuring our ability to respond quickly to the unexpected,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross. “We are appreciative of the province’s assistance to help us ensure our emergency services teams have the tools and training they need when the community calls upon them for help.” 

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 included: 

o   Non-governmental organizations that have a mandate in emergency preparedness 

o   Local services boards  

o   First Nation communities; Indigenous organizations, including Tribal Councils; and other Indigenous service organizations that support emergency management programming in First Nation communities 

o   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. In April, 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.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

·       Community Emergency Preparedness Grant 

·       Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan 

·       Emergency Management Ontario