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The Minister was guest speaker at the PEI Firefighters Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Abram-Village on Sunday afternoon. She said five fire departments in Prince Edward Island have received funding to enhance services this year. The projects were approved for funding through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP), a federal government initiative that provides financial cost sharing with municipal and provincial governments to help meet the costs of approved emergency preparedness projects.

“Our office is pleased to administer this program on behalf of our federal partners,” Minister Bertram told the firefighters. “Local fire departments provide the support and resources for communities, and we must continue to work together to ensure that fire departments are equipped and firefighters have the training and resources necessary to do their job.”

The five projects funded in 2008 are as follows:

• Summerside Fire Department - $9,000 to purchase a Thermal Imager;

• O’Leary Fire Department - $2,366.62 for Ice Water Rescue Equipment;

• Georgetown Fire Department - $4,000 also for a Thermal Imager;

• North Shore Fire Company - $40,000 to purchase a Heavy Rescue and Mobile Command Post;

• Miminegash Fire Department - $15,000 for Auto Extrication Equipment.

The Emergency Measures Organization jointly administers the program with Public Safety Canada and is the office through which municipalities and provincial government agencies apply for funding through the program.

Minister Bertram took time to thank the firefighters for the invaluable service they provide to our Island communities.

BACKGROUNDER:

The Joint Emergency Preparedness Program was established by the Government of Canada in 1980 in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments to help ensure that all levels of government across Canada are equally prepared to respond to emergencies. To date, the federal government has committed over $152 million through this program, including approximately $5,600,000 to the Province of Prince Edward Island in support of emergency preparedness projects.

The amount of the contribution is negotiated in each case and depends upon the nature of the project and the funds available. To be eligible for funding, JEPP projects must:

• Have a clear objective that supports priorities aimed at enhancing the national, provincial and territorial emergency response capability;

• Have an agreed, identifiable beginning and end;

• Include a statement of the nature and extent of federal involvement and take into account how federal participation will receive visibility and recognition;

• Include a provincial or territorial commitment to the project through funding or in-kind contribution.

Many projects are approved on 50/50 cost-shared basis. Applications are also assessed on three national Public Safety Canada priorities: exercises, telecommunications and training and education.