Province Strengthening Ontario Corps

Table of Contents

1. Content
2. Additional Resources
3. Media Contacts

The government is investing $6.5 million in emergency equipment, supplies and training to ensure Ontario Corps partners are ready to act when emergencies happen. Funding is being allocated to 13 Ontario Corps partners to strengthen emergency preparedness and response across the province, with a focus on four priorities:

1. Emergency reception centre supports
2. Emergency shelter and lodging supports
3. Family, spiritual, cultural and psychosocial services
4. Food services

211 Ontario
211 Ontario will establish a dedicated 211 emergency response team, increase agent staffing for emergencies and upgrade core technology to ensure faster more accurate public information during emergencies, improved navigation to support and resources, and a sustainable framework for long-term provincial readiness.

Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara
ATTCH Niagara will deliver trauma-informed training sessions, plan an emergency exercise and purchase emergency kits and other supplies.

Feed Ontario
Feed Ontario will continue to prepare emergency food hampers to support emergency food needs. They will also provide more emergency preparedness training opportunities and resources to Ontario's food bank network and partners.

GlobalMedic
GlobalMedic will purchase cots, blankets, hygiene items, snacks, generators, power bars and other technology that can be provided to communities during emergencies. They will also deliver training to communities on how to operate equipment and conduct emergency preparedness exercises with other Ontario Corps partners, fire departments and municipalities.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity will establish three emergency response hubs equipped with supplies. They will also purchase a trailer and a storage unit to move and store pumps, generators, extractors, blowers and dehumidifiers to assist with flooding emergencies. Habitat for Humanity will also expand training for volunteers and staff, including delivering trauma-informed training, Indigenous-focused training and training that complies with the Home Construction Regulatory Authority.

Independent First Nations Alliance
The Independent First Nations Alliance will maintain and store supplies for its evacuation hub. It will also deliver an exercise on mobilizing the hub during emergencies.

Kenora Chiefs Advisory - Ogimaawabiitong
Kenora Chiefs Advisory - Ogimaawabiitong will deliver emergency management training and exercises to its communities, including hosting joint exercises with other Ontario Corps partners.

Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres will purchase supplies, equipment and cultural items that can be mobilized to communities during emergencies. They will also plan and deliver an emergency drill and create an Indigenous emergency training module.

Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association
Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association will purchase helmets, headlamps, technology and other equipment to assist with search and rescue missions. They will also deliver training and workshops to prepare their volunteers for emergencies.

Radio Amateurs of Canada
Radio Amateurs of Canada will strengthen emergency communications across Ontario. Funding will help develop compatible voice and data communications for municipal, provincial, Indigenous and rural partners when conventional systems are disrupted. The initiative includes developing power, radio, networking and antenna systems aligned with emergency procedures and protocols.

St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance will purchase first aid supplies, emergency kits, stretchers, heaters for its inflatable shelters and other equipment to improve patient care during emergencies. They will also host an emergency exercise and train volunteers in 12 regions across Ontario.

The Salvation Army Canada
The Salvation Army Canada will purchase supplies and equipment including a fiberglass truck cap and service body for its emergency vehicles, automated external defibrillators for mobile outreach vehicles, shelters, emergency signage, lighting and other equipment.

Team Rubicon Canada
Team Rubicon Canada will conduct technical emergency response training, leadership and coordination development, volunteer-led service projects, and joint preparedness exercises with Ontario Corps partners and municipalities.

Additional Resources