Ontario boosts funds for special emergency response teams

PETERBOROUGH, Ont.—Ontario is putting $2.5 million toward special first-responder teams that are dispatched when buildings collapse or if there are chemical spills.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones announced the money—an increase of more than $1 million over last year’s funding—for both urban search and rescue teams, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive and hazardous materials teams.

The government says the increased funding is part of responding to recommendations from the inquiry into the mall collapse in Elliot Lake.

Jones says the funding will directly support 10 teams in six municipalities based strategically throughout Ontario, in North Bay, Ottawa, Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor.

The money will go toward training and equipment.

The emergency response teams are operated by their respective municipalities.