The Ontario government announced over $147,000 to support local municipalities in the Northumberland-Peterborough South region to increase their emergency preparedness on Tuesday.
Funds from the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant will be going towards the Township of Cramahe. the Municipality of Brighton, Cobourg, and Hamilton Township.
Cramahe will receive $32,250.20 in funding to contract a specialized training company to deliver training and exercise deliverables to address winter weather.
According to the province in a press release, the training will enhance the capabilities of staff, first responders, and key stakeholders to respond to a wide range of emergencies.
Brighton will use $49,391.42 in funding to strengthen emergency communications and enhance response capabilities during emergency events, including winter weather, ice storms, and wildland fires.
This would be done through upgrades to Emergency Operations Centre communications, the purchase of two-way radio systems to ensure reliable coordination among responders, the integration of drone technology to improve situational awareness, and enhancements to wildland fire-fighting capacity.
Cobourg will use their $50,000 grant to enhance the Cobourg Emergency Operations Centre’s communication capabilities to support response during winter weather emergencies.
Hamilton Township secured $16,000 for their project to equip the township with two mobile emergency trailers designed to support rapid, consistent road closures and traffic control during major incidents.
QUOTES
“Our government is strengthening the readiness of local communities and organizations to better prepare for any type of emergency. Whether it’s modernizing an emergency operations centre or investing in a generator to power a warming centre during a winter storm, these investments help to protect communities across Ontario.”
– Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
“The Community Emergency Preparedness Grant is a welcome investment in the safety and resilience of our community. This funding of $49,391.42 will allow the Municipality of Brighton to strengthen our Emergency Operations Centre, ensuring we are better equipped to coordinate responses and support residents during emergencies. We appreciate the Province’s continued commitment to helping municipalities prepare for and respond to critical situations.”
– Brian Ostrander, Mayor, Municipality of Brighton
“The project will enhance the Cobourg Emergency Operations Centre’s communication capabilities to support response during major emergencies. Funding will upgrade equipment, support both virtual and in person operations, and provide training and outreach to strengthen coordination during major events such as, snowstorms, ice storms, flooding, and high windstorms. The upgrades will ensure faster activation, smoother coordination among partners, and more effective emergency response.”
– Lucas Cleveland, Mayor, Town of Cobourg
“We’re grateful to the Province of Ontario for supporting Hamilton Township through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. This $16,000 investment will help us purchase and outfit a mobile emergency ‘Road Closed’ trailer so our staff can deploy road closure and traffic control equipment quickly and consistently during severe weather, road closures, and other incidents. With increasing emergencies and more frequent Highway 401 disruptions affecting our area, this project strengthens public safety, supports emergency responders, and improves our ability to keep routes clear for residents and emergency vehicles.”
– Scott Jibb, Mayor, Hamilton Township
“This funding will allow Cramahe Township to run practical training and scenario-based exercises that reflect the types of winter emergencies we actually respond to. By improving how our staff, firefighters, and partners train and work together, we’re strengthening our ability to make timely decisions, coordinate resources, and keep both responders and residents safe during severe weather and other emergencies.”
– Matt Halmasy, Fire Chief, Cramahe Township
