$20K for BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue
April 21, 2022NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is
providing BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue with a one-time investment of $20,000 for their 2022-23 fiscal year.
“Public safety is a top priority for our government,” said Vic Fedeli. “As such, we are committed to working with our policing and community partners to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to ensure the safety and security of our communities.”
“BAYSAR is extremely grateful to receive this grant. It’s a real lifeline that will ensure that we’ll be able to continue to operate well into 2023,” said Stan French, President of BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue.
“Pre-pandemic, BAYSAR ran a successful fundraising campaign for the capital costs needed to start Project Lifesaver. Historically, BAYSAR has received the bulk of our funds for operations and training from fundraising. Then Covid restriction impacted routine fundraising. Our solution was to appeal directly to MPP Fedeli. As a result, thanks to MPP Fedeli’s ability to explain the value of BAYSAR to the Solicitor General, the government is providing this special one-time grant; a grant that will make sure we can continue to serve our community and give us the time that we need to adapt to our new fundraising reality,” added French.
“This grant will also have an immediate impact on our operational capability to support police. During Covid, to reduce expenses, we put all non-essential training and operations on hold. We concentrated on implementing Project Lifesaver in collaboration with the North Bay Police Service, the North Bay OPP, and the Nipissing West OPP. Now, with this grant, we’ll be able to resume training so we can professionally augment police when they request any of our search and rescue services. And since Project Lifesaver was just launched in Temiskaming Shores, this grant will also give BAYSAR the capacity to assist the OPP there. Bottom line, thanks to this grant, the communities that BAYSAR serves will continue to receive volunteer search and rescue services to help save lives and reduce suffering,” added French.
The Government of Ontario appreciates the additional search and rescue resources and expertise that BAYSAR provides to police services across the province, including the Ontario Provincial Police.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- To learn more about the Solicitor General’s community safety grant programs: Community safety initiatives and resources | Ontario.ca