Province investing in emergency equipment and training to protect communities
DRYDEN —The government is taking action to protect Ontario by investing $50,000 in Dryden to help prepare for and respond to emergencies. Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG), which strengthens emergency preparedness by helping communities improve their local resilience.
“Paawidigong First Nations Forum plays a critical role providing health and social programs to communities across the Northern region of Treaty #3, said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River. “This investment is enabling community leaders to provide enhanced response times, support early coordination and reduce adverse impacts on communities.”
This funding will equip an Emergency Response Trailer to enhance mobile supports for fires, floods, power outages and other emergencies. The Emergency Response Trailer will be outfitted with specialized emergency equipment to mitigate any emergency on Indigenous communities or to assist emergency First Responders with further equipment that potentially can be utilized. The trailer will have emergency signage, emergency equipment for flood, structural and wildfire, Incident Command Post, Information Board to update all community members on the emergency at hand, hazardous spill kits, heat or cold emergencies, fuel, generators, and more. This will enhance response time, support early coordination and reduce adverse impacts on communities throughout Treaty #3 Territory.
“Our government is strengthening the readiness of local communities and organizations to better prepare for any type of emergency,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Whether it’s modernizing an emergency operations centre or investing in a generator to power a warming centre during a winter storm, these investments help to protect communities across Ontario.”
“The approval of the funds will go towards a universal mobile Emergency Response Trailer (ERT), that will be utilized specifically in the Indigenous communities we serve. This is to expediate the response time to any emergency in the event it may be needed 24/7. This is especially important when emergency personal are delayed assisting with other emergencies. We are excited about launching this new mechanism of support and appreciate how this will improve the care to Indigenous Communities when they face an emergency incident.”
- Reagan Breeze, Social Emergency Manager, Paawidigong First Nations Forum Inc.
QUICK FACTS
- The CEPG supports small- to medium-sized municipalities, local services boards, First Nations communities, Tribal Councils and Indigenous service organizations.
- Recipients were selected through a rigorous and competitive review process.
- Since the program launched in 2023, the province has invested $15 million to provide 342 recipients with grants.