October 31, 2022 – Government of PEI: Island fire services across the province will receive grants to purchase disaster response and communications equipment to help them prepare for future emergency events. The Department of Justice and Public Safety is investing over $1 million in emergency preparedness with local fire services.
Each of the 35 fire departments will receive a one-time grant of $20,000 through the PEI Firefighter Association (PEIFFA) to help with the purchase of lifesaving, disaster response equipment, such as chainsaws, portable lights and other safety equipment.
“These funds will help our firefighters in the next major storm by putting equipment in our fire halls, in the hands of those who are boots on the ground, and the first to respond across Island communities,” said Gerard McMahon, president of the PEI Firefighter Association.
“During Fiona, local fire service members were using their own equipment like chainsaws to clear the roads before they could even get to the emergency site,” says Justice and Public Safety Minister Darlene Compton.
“Providing these first responders with the funds to buy the right tools for the local service to do their important jobs, especially in times of emergency, is exactly what the Province can do to support these men and women.”
Read the full news release here