Local fire services to receive $25,000 each from province
WELLINGTON COUNTY – On Nov. 14, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced local emergency services in the county will be receiving $125,000 in funding to help provide specialized supports for first responders.
The funding comes from the Ontario government’s $32-million Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) program.
MHS4PSP funding provided by the Ministry of the Solicitor General includes $25,000 each for fire departments in Minto, Mapleton, Wellington North, Centre Wellington and Puslinch.
“We will be using the funding for three different areas,” Minto Fire Deputy Fire Chief Callise Loos told the Advertiser.
The noted areas include:
– training spouses and families regarding hot to support their first responders;
– training for captains and district chiefs on peer support; and
– training for firefighters on resilience.
“I think the grant program is great as it has allowed us to provide this training to our people in a timelier manner than say over five years as it stands with current resource constraints,” Loos explained.
The program was announced last November and includes:
– a web portal for public safety personnel to access core services, including internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy and peer-support tools; and
– additional programs and services, such as access to a 24/7 call-line and other trauma-informed mental health services.
The City of Guelph and the Guelph Police Service Board will also each receive $25,000.
