YELLOWKNIFE (March 5, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) continues to support community government projects that promote public safety by increasing response capability of local fire and ambulance services through the Ground Ambulance and Highway Rescue Funding Program. In 2014/15, the GNWT provided $400,000 in funding to communities through this program, an increase of $200,000 from previous years. Additional improvements to the program include raising the maximum amount of funding per community to $50,000, including minor capital infrastructure projects as eligible expenses and allowing multi-year projects.
“Providing resources to community governments so they can improve their local fire and ambulance services is an important part of improving public safety in the Northwest Territories,” said Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Robert C. McLeod. “Expanding the funding available under this program and also providing more options for how recipients can use the funds helps community governments address their unique needs. ”
Since 2007, this program has provided over $1.5 million to community governments for initiatives such as new ground ambulance or highway rescue vehicles, emergency medical responder training, casualty trauma kit supplies, off-site crash kit supplies and more.
“The ground ambulance and highway rescue funding, in conjunction with the basic training that the volunteers have received, will provide us with the necessary skills, transportation and equipment to treat, mobilize and transport patients in a safe manner,” said Patrick Simon, Deputy Mayor of the Hamlet of Fort Resolution.
“The City of Yellowknife appreciates the additional funding used towards emergency response capabilities along NWT Highways near our community. These additional resources help Yellowknife play a stronger role in the region in the area of emergency support services,” said Mark Heyck, Mayor of the City of Yellowknife.
In 2014-15, the GNWT has allocated $400,000 to support the following community government projects:
- Yellowknife – Rescue vehicle and equipment
- Hay River – Ambulance
- Fort Smith – Rescue equipment
- Fort Simpson – Highway rescue vehicle
- Fort Resolution – Highway rescue vehicle
- Fort McPherson – Ambulance and equipment
- Inuvik – Rescue equipment
- Behchoko – Training and communications equipment
An Interdepartmental Advisory Committee composed of the Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs, Justice, Transportation and Health and Social Services was established in 2011 to implement the GNWT’s Ground Ambulance, Highway and Remote Medical Rescue Services Strategy to support and strengthen delivery of community-based ground ambulance, highway rescue and medical remote rescue services in the NWT.
The Ground Ambulance and Highway Rescue Funding Program helps build response capacity in communities and contributes to sustainable, vibrant, and safe communities as outlined in the 17th Legislative Assembly’s vision of Believing in People and Building on the Strengths of Northerners.
Media inquiries:
David Maguire
Communications and Website Advisor
Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-3092
Email: david_maguire@gov.nt.ca