The Ontario government is investing an additional $5 million to help communities across the province prepare for emergencies, and Orillia is among the 114 recipients of the funding boost.
As part of the 2024-25 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, the City of Orillia is receiving $50,000 to purchase a drone, trailers, and open pump equipment to improve the city’s response to potential flooding and other emergencies.
The funding announcement comes during Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs from May 4 to 10, and encourages residents to make emergency plans, build preparedness kits, and stay informed during crises.
Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North and Ontario’s minister of emergency preparedness and response, made the announcement at Orillia Fire Station 1 on Monday, calling the investment part of a broader effort to ensure communities are “resilient, ready and strong.”
“An Ontario that is resilient and prepared shines brightest when our communities and organizations are empowered with the resources they need to rise to any challenge and respond,” said Dunlop.
Referencing the recent ice storm that caused widespread damage across central Ontario, including her hometown of Orillia, Dunlop praised first responders and volunteers who were “boots on the ground within 24 hours” and emphasized the importance of long-term readiness.
“This investment means that even more recipients can purchase critical equipment and deliver essential emergency management training,” she said, noting money granted to Orillia can help the city "address potential flooding challenges" in the area.
"Investments like these make all the difference," said Dunlop.
Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac welcomed the funding and expressed appreciation for the province’s support during the aftermath of the devastating ice storm that left many in the city without power for several days.
“The recent ice storm in Orillia was a powerful reminder of just how critical it is to be prepared for emergencies,” McIsaac said. “In Orillia, we saw firsthand the impact that severe weather can have on the community and how essential timely support is for our residents.”
He added that Dunlop “was the first one to call and stayed to the bitter end,” noting her guidance and presence were “greatly appreciated.”
“We’re also extremely grateful for the $50,000 from the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. This funding will enhance our capacity to respond to flooding and other emergencies in a swift and effective manner,” McIsaac said.
Over the past two years, the grant program has allocated $10 million to 227 municipalities, First Nations, and local organizations, all part of the province’s larger $110-million, three-year plan to bolster emergency preparedness, Dunlop explained.
In addition, the province is moving forward with constructing a new Ontario Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters, which will serve as a centralized hub for the coordination and deployment of Ontario Corps emergency teams.
Last year, Emergency Management Ontario deployed staff 67 times for a combined 355 days and trained more than 16,500 people through 388 emergency management courses. The province also participated in 114 drills and exercises with local partners.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, click here.