The provincial government has given out funding to local municipal governments to help them "prepare and respond to natural disasters and emergencies."
That's according to a news release from Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers. The release states that the City of Owen Sound, the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula are splitting just over $116,000 from a Community Emergency Preparedness Grant.
The new grants are part of a $110 million investment the province is making to "strengthen emergency preparedness in Ontario."
The three communities in Byers' riding will be using the funds to purchase thermal drone equipment and training.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
City of Owen Sound - $49,775
Municipality of Arran-Elderslie - $26,460
Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula - $40,247
"This local investment of $116,482 to successful applicants in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound will help with the purchase of supplies, equipment and training," said MPP Byers. "The province will continue to make substantial investments and expand training programs for emergency management."
“Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, our government is stepping up to ensure Ontario is safe, practiced and prepared for any type of emergency,” added 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 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.
"We are grateful to the Ontario Government for their support through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant,” stated Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy. “With their partnership, we can continue to keep Owen Sound citizens safe.”
"The Municipality of Arran-Elderslie is very appreciative of this grant for a thermal imaging drone, as it will greatly enhance our emergency preparedness response in the event of either a natural disaster or emergency within our Municipality," shared Mayor Steve Hammell. "We look forward to our firefighters starting their training on this new piece of equipment in order to further serve our community".
"We're incredibly grateful to the province of Ontario for their ongoing support in our efforts to enhance emergency management," stated Mayor Milt McIver. "The grant we've received allows us to invest in drones, improving our response times and enabling us to monitor areas of fire risk more effectively. This support means a safer community for all of us."