December 13, 2024

NEW ONTARIO CORPS VOLUNTEERS TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS; HQ IN ETOBICOKE AFTER CLOSING ONE AT FIRE COLLEGE IN GRAVENHURST

TORONTO — Gravenhurst’s mayor is supporting a new volunteer provincial emergency group announced today to help in natural disasters like the one Gravenhurst is currently dealing with.

Today Premier Doug Ford announced the creation of Ontario Corps, a group of skilled professionals and volunteers that the province can deploy to help communities respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, while promoting civic engagement and community participation.

Also as a part of the plan to modernize emergency management across Ontario, the province is establishing an Ontario Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters that will support a quicker and more coordinated response.

One very similar to that which was purpose-built and set up in Gravenhurst at the Ontario Fire College before it was closed in 2021 by Ford.

It will be in near Ford’s riding.

“Emergency management has evolved significantly across Ontario over the years and Ontario Corps is an important part of the story,” Heidi Lorenz is quoted as saying in a release Friday.

“We’re grateful to Premier Ford and the Government of Ontario for all their support through our emergency in Gravenhurst. We called and they answered. We are certain that Ontario Corps will be a useful resource to other communities experiencing emergencies in the future.”

Pat Loughead, a Gravenhurst resident who has been very critical of Ontario online the past two weeks for not calling in the army to help shovel out the community, may be interested in this.

Stefan Mueller, of Global Medic one of the new Ontario Corps partners, had 30 cots available with more at the ready if needed during the Gravenhurst snow storm. Luckily none were needed as he admitted they are pretty uncomfortable. Photos Mark Clairmont

Salvation Army worker Brody Fisher, left. came up to help local core officer Lt. Brandon Keeping here with the Salvation Army’s new disaster relief van to be stationed in Bracebridge and be used for local outreach.

Earlier this month, after a huge amount of snow still accumulating a week later, the province piloted Ontario Corps in Gravenhurst. Ontario Corps partners the Salvation Army, GlobalMedic, Feed Ontario and the Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association were deployed to help Gravenhurst conduct wellness checks on residents, provide food hampers and serve meals to the community, and support a municipal warming centre for community members who lost power or were stranded on highways.

Ford said: “I’ve seen firsthand the incredible community spirit and dedication to volunteerism that we share throughout Ontario. “With the launch of Ontario Corps, we’re harnessing the Ontario spirit to help communities and neighbours in need deal with natural disasters and other emergencies, while providing additional resources to keep our communities safe. I encourage everyone across Ontario who is interested and able to consider volunteering by signing up for Ontario Corps today!”

Inspired it says by successful models like AmeriCorps, Ontario Corps will work with non-governmental organizations and First Nations partners to help coordinate specialized personnel and volunteers to respond to emergencies.

The province says Ontario Corps can mobilize to provide on-the-ground assistance such as emergency shelter, debris management, food services and flood protection. Ontario Corps partner organizations include groups such as Feed Ontario, Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association, Salvation Army, GlobalMedic and Team Rubicon Canada.

It’s also similar in the states to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency,” which helps coordinate disaster responses that overwhelm resources at local and state governments.

To support Ontario Corps emergency response efforts, the province has procured flood mitigation barriers, drones, water pumps, chain saws, air purifiers and other supplies to support communities impacted by emergencies. All equipment and volunteers can be deployed anywhere across Ontario within 24 to 72 hours to help support community response efforts. Partner organizations could also help prepare the province by training volunteers and educating the public on how they can plan for and respond to emergencies.

“Being safe, practised and prepared starts with having the resources, trained volunteers and specialized equipment ready when the next emergency impacts Ontario,” said Trevor Jones, Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Neighbours helping neighbours – that is the true essence of Ontario Corps, which will guide our efforts to ensure our province remains a leader in emergency management for decades to come.”

People of all skill levels and professional backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer for Ontario Corps to help their communities during emergencies. Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to apply. They will be provided with initial training and matched with partner organizations based on their skill levels, interests and availability.

Emergency management HQ

The release added that as a part of the plan to modernize emergency management across Ontario, the province is also establishing an Ontario Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters that will support a quicker and more coordinated response.

One just like that was set up in Gravenhurst at the Ontario Fire College before it was closed in 2021.

Located on surplus government property on Disco Road in Etobicoke near Toronto Pearson International Airport, this state-of-the-art complex would be a multifaceted centre for coordinated and enhanced responses to emergencies. A secure facility with dedicated training rooms, storage, warehousing and aviation infrastructure, the new headquarters would be built to withstand all types of disasters including earthquakes, tornadoes and floods, capable of serving Ontario 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The government is also partnering with Northern College on a regional emergency hub in Timmins to bolster local on-the-ground response and enhance emergency readiness in northern Ontario.

The hub, located at the college, could be set up to serve as an emergency operations centre, a meeting point for emergency partners to coordinate responses or a training centre for partners and volunteers in the north. Four additional emergency hubs will be established at strategic locations in northeast, northwest, southwest and southeast Ontario.

These new hubs will store equipment to help support local efforts, providing timelier support to areas affected by emergencies.

Quick Facts:

Ontario Corps is part of the government’s $110 million investment over three years to strengthen emergency preparedness and response in Ontario.
Communities in need of provincial assistance during an emergency are encouraged to contact Emergency Management Ontario by way of the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre. Staff will assess the situation and determine the best support to provide to the community—Ontario Corps partners, equipment, regional field services staff and/or more.
Ontario Corps is a key accomplishment of the Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, which highlights actions the province is taking to ensure that every community in Ontario is safe, practiced and prepared before, during and after emergencies.