Ontario Increasing Local Emergency Preparedness in Northumberland-Peterborough South 

Province investing in emergency equipment and training to protect communities

The government is taking action to protect Ontario by investing $147,641.62 in Northumberland-Peterborough South to help prepare for and respond to emergencies. Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG), which strengthens emergency preparedness by helping communities improve their local resilience.

“These investments in emergency response initiatives, equipment upgrades, and training are essential to protecting and strengthening our rural communities,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South. “By enhancing emergency response capabilities, we are prepared to face the unique challenge that faces our communities and ensure we remain safe and resilient.”

The Township of Cramahe will receive $32,250.20 in funding to contract a specialized training company to deliver comprehensive training and exercise deliverables to address winter weather. The training will enhance the capabilities of staff, first responders, and key stakeholders to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies, ensuring coordinated, timely, and efficient actions during critical incidents. This project will enhance the township’s capacity to effectively respond to all emergencies by strengthening skills and preparedness.

The Municipality of 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. The initiative will support upgrades to Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) 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. These investments will improve operational effectiveness during emergency events, protect public safety and support timely and informed decision making.

The Town of Cobourg will use their $50,000 grant to enhance the Cobourg Emergency Operations Centre’s communication capabilities to support response during winter weather emergencies. Funding will upgrade equipment, support both virtual and in person operations, and provide training and outreach to strengthen coordination during snowstorms, ice storms, flooding, and high wind events. The upgrades will ensure faster activation, smoother coordination among partners, and more effective emergency response.

Hamilton Township was successful in securing $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. The project addresses severe weather events, highway shutdowns, vehicle accidents, power outages, and other emergencies that require immediate detours to protect responders and keep the public safe. Funding will support the purchase of the trailers, ensuring staff can deploy road closure equipment quickly from a centralized unit.

“Our government is strengthening the readiness of local communities and organizations to better prepare for any type of emergency,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “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.”

QUOTES

“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

QUICK FACTS

· The CEPG supports small- to medium-sized municipalities, local services boards, First Nations communities, Tribal Councils and Indigenous service organizations.

· Recipients were selected through a rigorous and competitive review process.

· Since the program launched in 2023, the province has invested $15 million to provide 342 recipients with grants.