Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini says Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) funding is making a difference locally.
Earlier this week, Piccini said he hosted Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop to delve into the impact grant funding is making across the region.
The province’s total investment of about $120,094 was aimed at helping Northumberland County, Otonabee-South Monaghan and Hiawatha First Nation, said Piccini.
“Our government is making crucial investments to better protect our local communities,” he added. “It is incredible to see firsthand how funding through the CEPG is providing First Nations communities and municipalities with the tools, equipment and training they need to respond to emergencies effectively.”
In Northumberland, the county netted about $50,000 through the fund to purchase generators and related equipment for the county works yard. Officials also said monies will help with training.
While thanking the province for its support, Warden Bob Crate noted the investment specifically helped with the installation of two standby generators at the county’s public works yard in Cobourg. He said this addition means county operations can continue during outages and other emergencies.
“Reliable infrastructure is essential to keeping our roads safe and services running when community members need them most,” said Crate. “On behalf of county council, I want to thank the Minister of Emergency Preparedness Jill Dunlop and Minister David Piccini for their support in helping Northumberland County stay prepared and resilient.”
According to Piccini’s office, the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan also received a nearly $36,000 grant to purchase a drone and related equipment to help acquire real-time data to respond to flooding risks and emergency management operations.
Additionally, Hiawatha First Nation received a $34,125 grant to purchase generators and emergency kits. Funding was also used to create public education materials and conduct emergency management training and exercises, noted officials.
“A safe and prepared Ontario comes when communities and organizations have the resources they need to respond efficiently and effectively in times of crisis,” noted Jill Dunlop. “I saw first-hand during the recent ice storms how our community and the entire province is stronger when we have the capacity to come together to support each other and respond quickly when disaster strikes.”
Last year, the province said a total of 114 recipients received CEPG funding to help purchase critical equipment and deliver emergency management training.