More emergency providers across N.S. get provincial support

More than twice as many emergency providers across Nova Scotia will be getting equipment grants.

The provincial government is providing support to fire departments, hazardous materials units and ground-search-and-rescue crews.

The province says 144 organizations will receive up to $30,000 each.

In 2024, $1.2 million was provided to 64 first responder organizations.

According to a government release, the Emergency Services Provider Fund has been expanded in several ways this year:

• an increase in total program funding to $4 million from $1 million
• grants are now up to $30,000 for individual organizations, an increase from $20,000
• covering up to 90 per cent of eligible costs to the maximum grant amount, compared with 75 per cent previously
• a streamlined process to get funding to organizations faster
• organizations can now apply every two years instead of every three years

In a statement, Minister of Emergency Management Kim Masland says, “As the foundation of emergency response in this province. it is crucial that we support our first responders and organizations keeping Nova Scotians safe and ensure they have the tools they need to do this effectively.”

Masland adds, “I am so proud our government has expanded the amount of funding for this program, making it the first in Canada to see support at this level for our valued first responders.”

Eligible expenses can include personal protective equipment; equipment for communications, firefighting, rescue, water supply and suppression, and dealing with hazardous materials; and emergency power for buildings.

Applications for individual organizations opened in the spring, and applications for regional grants opened October 1st.