MIRAMICHI, NB, Sept. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi-Grand Lake, on behalf of the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness announced $753,000 in federal funding to the Miramichi Ground Search and Rescue and the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization of the Department of Justice and Public Safety under the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF).
This investment will support advanced and specialized search and rescue training to the ground search and rescue teams and ensure continuity of that training. It will also support the development of a Ground Search and Rescue Training Center in Miramichi.
The SAR NIF aims to fund projects that improve and enhance the objectives of the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP). The Government of Canada dedicates $7.6 million each year to support new and ongoing projects under SAR NIF.
Quotes
"Canadians love to play, work and explore in the great outdoors all across our country. The search and rescue community works tirelessly to keep us all safe if something goes wrong. Through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, the Government of Canada is proud to support more effective and coordinated search and rescue capacity—to provide better tools to help the volunteers and experts who respond to emergencies and work to prevent them before they happen. From updating our national emergency management framework to restoring funding for Heavy Urban Search and Rescue teams across Canada, the federal government is determined to pay greater attention to emergency planning, preparedness and response. I'm confident that today's investment will help keep people safe in New Brunswick."
— The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"I congratulate the Miramichi Ground Search and Rescue. This funding will help educate people to better assess risks, and to understand the importance of acquiring and using the knowledge and skills that can save their lives and minimize injury."
— Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi-Grand Lake
"We are pleased to support this important project that will improve the safety of all regions in our province. The ground search and rescue teams play an essential role by providing assistance to any resident in distress."
— Bill Fraser, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, New Brunswick, on behalf of Denis Landry, minister of Justice and Public Safety, New Brunswick
"This project is important to the development of ground search and rescue teams in New Brunswick and their ability to provide better services to the population of the province. Up until now, volunteers had to spend long hours in fund-raising activities in order to get funding to provide the necessary training to all team members. In addition to receiving better training, they will be able to dedicate more time to planning and preparation for ground search and rescue operations."
— Jerry McKenna, Executive Director, Miramichi Ground Search and Rescue Team
Quick Facts:
- Investments in the SAR NIF will:
- promote and support projects designed to develop and improve SAR prevention;
- enhance the effectiveness of the SAR response in federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions; and,
- share SAR response and prevention best practices throughout the SAR community.
- The Government of Canada funds up to 95% of search and rescue projects. Recipients must obtain a minimum of 5% of the total project cost by way of in-kind and/or cash contribution.
- Projects are selected through a merit-based process using objective and measurable criteria.
- The Government of Canada will soon launch the 2018-2019 call for proposals for the SAR NIF. Proposals will be accepted until November 10, 2017.
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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]
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