Enhancing Safety in Communities

Volunteer fire departments and emergency response organizations across the province are getting extra help to keep communities and families safe with more than $2 million from the Emergency Services Provider Fund.

The funding will help more communities purchase equipment such as Jaws of Life, defibrillators, and ground search and rescue vehicles, or expand or repair buildings used to provide emergency services.

Eleven projects receiving a total of $471,149 were announced today, Oct. 3. The projects are:

• Belle Cote and Area Community Centre,$23,000
• District 10 Fire Department, Richmond, $11,417
• Framboise Fourchu Fire Department, $8,752
• Grand River Fire Department, $23,373
• Inverness Fire Department, $73,841
• Mabou Fire Department, $6,367
• Margaree Fire Department, $14,233
• North East Margaree Fire Department, $23,540
• Port Hawkesbury Volunteer Fire Department, $27,326
• Port Hastings Fire Department, $9,300
• St. Peter's Fire Department, $250,000

Originally a $5-million investment announced in September 2007, the fund more than doubled over the past year to respond to an overwhelming list of applicants. The projects announced today are among ones in 233 communities that received close to $12 million from the fund.

"The Emergency Services Provider Fund is more than a dollars and cents announcement," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "It's a recognition of the gratitude all Nova Scotians feel for our volunteer firefighters and emergency first responders whose dedication to their neighbours and their communities help us all feel safer and more secure."

Raymond Ferguson, chief of St. Peter's and District Volunteer Fire Department, noted that the funding will go a long way to help expand their fire station and provide even greater protection to the community.

"We appreciate the funding that the province is providing," said Chief Ferguson. "The extra bays will help us to get faster access to fire trucks, the rescue boat and other needed equipment."

"This financial support will help emergency volunteers get the equipment and facilities they need to keep Nova Scotians safe," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Services.

The Emergency Services Provider fund provided a maximum of $250,000 for eligible projects. More projects will be announced in the coming weeks. Applications to the fund are no longer being accepted.