Government of Canada restores funding for Heavy Urban Search and Rescue

OTTAWA, Oct. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness announced a call for proposals for the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Funding Program. Investments through this program will help eligible provinces and municipalities obtain the equipment and extensive training needed to sustain this critical response capacity.

With this new Program, the Government of Canada will restore funding to existing HUSAR Task Forces in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Manitoba. This program will also provide support to the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia to build HUSAR capacity in Montreal and Halifax.

Quick Facts

• As part of Budget 2016, the Government of Canada committed $15.5 million over five years to restore HUSAR funding. Up to $3.1 million annually will be available to Task Forces for cost-shared HUSAR investments. Task Forces would be able to apply for funding from Public Safety Canada to cover up to 75% of the costs of eligible projects.
• HUSAR Task Forces are interdisciplinary and are made up of first responders such as firefighters, paramedics, and canine technicians. HUSAR capabilities play a critical role in a variety of emergency situations, including urban building collapses, mudslides, flooding and forest fires, among other disasters.

Quotes

"Increasing urbanization, coupled with the growing frequency and severity of weather-related emergencies means that ensuring sufficient HUSAR capacity across the country is becoming more important. The Government of Canada is working with the Provinces/Territories and municipalities to ensure that our approach to emergency response is reflective of the needs of all partners, and the changing risk environment. We look forward to continue working together to modernize emergency management."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Associated Links

• Heavy Urban Search and Rescue
• Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

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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