**** MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS Release
Province Supports Emergency Services Providers
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Every Nova Scotian deserves to feel safe in their community and know that help is available, if needed. That is why the province is helping first responder organizations buy more than $1.25 million of emergency equipment.
“These grants are important for first responder organizations,” said Chuck Porter, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Many of these organizations are supported by volunteers, who put hours of their own time into training and responding to emergencies in their communities. This funding ensures they have the tools and equipment to be safe while carrying out their duties.”
The announcement was made today, Oct. 16, at the Italy Cross, Middlewood and District Fire Department in Italy Cross, Lunenburg Co., which was awarded $20,000 through the Emergency Services Provider Fund to buy personal protective equipment such as helmets, boots and gloves, as well as hoses and nozzles for water suppression.
The fund offers financial assistance to fire departments and ground search and rescue organizations, including hazardous materials (HAZMAT) organizations, to upgrade equipment that is used directly in response to a fire or emergency.
Quotes:
“We owe it to all our first responder members to provide them with the best training and equipment to do their jobs effectively and safely. The Emergency Services Provider Fund supports their work.”
– Mark Furey, Minister of Justice
“On behalf of the Italy Cross, Middlewood and District Fire Department I would like to convey my appreciation for being awarded funding from the Emergency Services Provider Fund. This funding will allow our department to purchase much needed safety equipment that we require to protect our firefighters while we serve our community.”
– Nancy Llewellyn-Rafuse, chief, Italy Cross, Middlewood and District Fire Department
Quick Facts:
— 74 organizations are receiving funding under the program for 2020-2021
— categories include personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus, communications, rescue equipment, miscellaneous firefighting equipment, hazardous material (HAZMAT) equipment, water supply and suppression equipment, emergency power for buildings
— organizations can apply every three years
— the program provides up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000
Additional Resources:
Municipal Affairs and Housing Twitter Account: http://twitter.com/dma_ns
To see the full list of grant recipients go to, http://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/emergency-services-provider-fund-grant-recipients-2020
