Nova Scotia expands funding for emergency services providers

Through the expanded Emergency Services Provider Fund – available to fire departments, hazardous materials units and ground search and rescue crews – 144 organizations will receive up to $30,000 each. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotia has announced it is expanding the Emergency Services Provider Fund to support more first responder organizations.

The fund is available to fire departments, hazardous materials units and ground search and rescue crews. The province will fund 144 organizations with up to $30,000.

“As the foundation of emergency response in this province, it is crucial that we support our first responders and organizations keeping Nova Scotians safe and ensure they have the tools they need to do this effectively,” said Kim Masland, minister of Emergency Management. “I am so proud our government has expanded the amount of funding for this program, making it the first in Canada to see support at this level for our valued first responders.”

The expansion includes:

• an increase in total program funding to $4 million from $1 million
• grants are now up to $30,000 for individual organizations, an increase from $20,000
• covering up to 90 per cent of eligible costs to the maximum grant amount, compared with 75 per cent previously
• a streamlined process to get funding to organizations faster
• organizations can now apply every two years instead of every three years
• adding regional grants of up to $200,000 to support emergency services across a broader geographic area

The funding provided 64 first responder organizations with $1.2 million in 2024.

The regional grants are available to partnerships between municipalities and first responder organizations. The organizations and municipalities have to collaborate to address the collective needs of multiple emergency response organizations in their area.

Applications are open until Dec. 1.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page