ONTARIO: 1)Ontario Emergency Preparedness Funding Expands; 2)County of Simcoe starts work on new Barrie paramedic post to boost emergency response
1)Ontario Emergency Preparedness Funding Expands
How prepared are you for the next emergency? And have you started thinking about retirement?
This week, we’re looking at two topics that affect almost everyone at some point in life. First, the province is investing millions of dollars to help communities better prepare for emergencies like ice storms, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires.
The Province of Ontario is investing another $5 million to help communities strengthen their emergency response.
The Ontario emergency preparedness funding program gives grants to municipalities, First Nations, and other eligible organizations. The funding can help purchase emergency equipment, provide training, and improve local emergency plans.
According to local MPP and Minister for Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop, every community has different needs. For some, that could mean new equipment for emergency crews. For others, it could mean creating temporary evacuation centers or improving local response plans.
The goal is to help communities respond faster and recover more quickly when emergencies happen.
Why Emergency Preparedness Matters
Ontario has seen its share of extreme weather in recent years, from major ice storms to flooding and wildfires.
Dunlop says emergency preparedness is about more than responding after something happens. It’s also about making sure communities have the tools, training, and plans in place before an emergency begins.
She also encourages every household to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit. A basic kit should include water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and some cash in case electronic payments are unavailable.
Having a family emergency plan can also make a stressful situation much easier to manage.
2)County of Simcoe starts work on new Barrie paramedic post to boost emergency response
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 6, 2026
A new paramedic post is taking shape in Barrie, with site work now underway at 240 and 246 Cundles Road East near Livingstone Street East.
The County of Simcoe says the project is designed to improve response times and support growing communities.
The plan uses a hub-and-post model, with the main Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services on Fairview Road supported by smaller posts that position crews closer to where calls occur and where residential growth is occurring.
The County says the Cundles Road East location was chosen after looking at call volumes, travel patterns, and gaps in service coverage.
Officials say the smaller posts also help control costs by requiring less land and smaller buildings.
Demolition of existing structures on the property began in July. Construction of the new paramedic post is expected to begin in spring 2027, pending final approvals from the City of Barrie and the County of Simcoe.