Emergency Response Organizations Get Equipment, Facilities

Ninety volunteer fire departments and other emergency response organizations across the province will soon have improved equipment and facilities thanks to funding through the Emergency Services Provider Fund.

The fund is a one-year, $5-million initiative designed to help enhance safety in communities across the province. The total funding for approved projects is about $3.9 million.

"Fire departments and first responders need the proper equipment to perform their duties safely and effectively," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "This fund is a great example of our commitment to the health and safety of our communities."

The approved projects range from essential firefighting equipment such as turnout gear, self-contained breathing units, hoses, nozzles and water pumps to new advances in firefighting such as thermal-imaging cameras, new Jaws of Life systems, rescue boats and man-down alarms.

Funds have also been approved to help build new fire halls and to expand existing ones to meet the service demands of growing communities.

Ground search and rescue teams throughout the province will receive financial support to purchase and equip new command base and support vehicles. These vehicles are used during searches to co-ordinate efforts, transport searchers and provide a rest area for searchers.

In addition, the Nova Scotia Association of Hazmat Teams, which deal with hazardous materials, received funding to help purchase clean-up, testing and protective equipment.

"This fund enables us to obtain specialized equipment that will help us to better respond to public safety issues," said Carl Shaw, director of the Special Hazard Response Unit.

Projects have been approved for every county in Nova Scotia.

A complete list of the projects that have received funding from the Emergency Services Provider Fund can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/espf .

The fund provides a maximum of $250,000 for eligible projects.

Because of strong demand for funding, it is unlikely applications received after Feb. 1 will be considered this year.

For more information call 1-902-424-5676.