Three fire departments to receive funding

Island and Barrington Passage Fire Department chief Dwayne Hunt says their unit will be using the money for eight new self-contained breathing apparatus and 36 sets of turn-out gear.

“This was included in our five-year budget to the municipality but by accessing this money through the government we are able to do most of it this year, at less cost to taxpayers.

“It’s an early Christmas present,” he said.

The grants are for various amounts up to sixty per cent of the project cost applied for and will support a number of initiatives from facility improvements to equipment purchase.

The Emergency Services Provider Fund is a $5-million, one-year provincial funding program for volunteer fire departments and emergency response organizations such as the ground search and rescue and hazardous material organizations. The fund is an application-based program that will assist volunteer fire departments and emergency first responders in obtaining necessary equipment and facilities to respond to hazardous and emergency situations in Nova Scotia.

Volunteer fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations, ground search & rescue organizations are eligible for support under the program.

Firefighting and emergency response equipment (e.g.: Jaws of Life, defibrillators, pumps, hoses, compressors, generators), new construction and repair to buildings and facilities that house vehicles and equipment in addition to ground search and rescue equipment are examples of projects that can be funded through the grants.