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Ingersoll Fire and Emergency Services receives investment through Community Emergency Preparedness Grant

May 8, 2024, Woodstock, Ont. — The Ontario government is investing $42,680 in Ingersoll Fire and Emergency Services to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies, said a press release from the office of Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman.

The funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, a $5 million investment to help communities and organizations purchase critical supplies, equipment, and delivery training and services.

“Special equipment is often needed when responding to incidents,” said Hardeman in the statement. “This funding will allow Ingersoll’s emergency services to be even further prepared to address any situation that may arise.”

Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Baker said that the department had already determined where they were going to invest the money.

“This funding will allow our organization to purchase a drone that will provide enhanced service to our residents and provide a higher level of safety to our first responders during small and large scale emergencies,” he said in the release.

The government’s $5 million investment is part of a larger $110 million commitment over three years to strengthen emergency preparedness in Ontario.

In 2023 the government funded 113 projects through the grant for training and purchases including the purchase of wildland fire fighting suppression equipment, interactive screens and laptops to allow fire stations to share information during emergencies, and digital display boards to broadcast emergency information to residents, among others.

“From floods to wildland fires, these targeted investments will empower communities and organizations to enhance their emergency response,” said Caroline Mulroney, president of the Treasury Board and the minister responsible for Emergency Management, in a press release. “Whether it’s building up local fire departments or enabling more efficient search and rescue operations, our government is giving communities the tools and resources they need to keep people safe.”