KAWARTHA LAKES-Peterborough-Kawartha is one of six communities across the province chosen to host a new Urban Search and Rescue, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive, and Hazardous Materials team.
“When disaster strikes, Ontario families need to have confidence that help is on the way. That’s why we’re providing communities across the province with funding to respond quickly and effectively to large-scale and complex emergencies,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General. “First responders put their lives on the line each and every day to protect us. That’s why we are committed to providing these brave men and women with the tools they need to keep our communities and our families safe.”
The announcement was made today in Peterborough. The funds will be used to provide teams with specialized rescue skills to help when people are trapped in collapsed structures, assist with life-saving operations and provide immediate medical assistance to survivors, respond to incidents involving the uncontrolled release of chemicals, biological agents, radioactive and nuclear contamination or explosions that cause widespread damage and enhance the province’s ability to respond to provincial emergencies.
These specialized teams are called in when additional or more technical resources are required, the fire marshal coordinates and activates these specialized teams to assist local authorities.
“We are pleased the government is providing these teams with new and increased funding to help them better protect the communities they serve,” said Jon Pegg, Ontario’s Fire Marshal and Chief of Emergency Management.
There will be 10 specialized teams in 6 communities, North Bay, Ottawa, Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor. These emergency response teams are operated by their municipalities and support provincial efforts through an agreement with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management.
Today’s announcement is in response to recommendations made by the Elliot Lake inquiry.
The Elliot Lake Inquiry was established on July 19, 2012 by the Government of Ontario under the Public Inquiries Act, 2009. Its mandate was to inquire into and report on events surrounding the collapse of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake on June 23, 2012 resulting in the deaths of Lucie Aylwin and Doloris Perizzolo and the injuries to other individuals as well as the emergency management and response.
