Windsor is getting some help to deal with disasters.
The Government of Ontario is investing a total of $450,000 for specialized disaster response teams in Windsor to help first responders keep the city safe.
A new Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) will get $300,000 and $150,000 will go to the existing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Team (CBRNE), also known as the Hazardous Materials Team (HazMat). The provincial teams include specialized police, firefighters and paramedics and support responses that the local fire department can't handle.
“When disaster strikes, families need to have confidence that help is on the way, that’s why we’re providing the City of Windsor with funding to respond quickly and effectively to large-scale and complex emergencies,” said Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington.
USAR teams locate and extricate victims trapped in collapsed structures, provide immediate medical treatment to survivors, and conduct other life-savings operations. The HazMat Team responds to large-scale or complex natural or human-caused chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive/hazardous material incidents.
“First responders put their lives on the line each and every day to protect us,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “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 province announced $2.5 million of investments on Wednesday that will support a total of 10 specialized teams in North Bay, Ottawa, Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor.
The 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.
