The Emergency Services Provider Fund (ESPF) assists first responder organizations in Nova Scotia with purchasing equipment used directly in response to fire or emergency situations. Fire Departments, Ground Search and Rescue and HAZMAT organizations play an integral role in emergency response, recovery and ensuring the safety of Nova Scotians.

The program has been significantly enhanced for 2025-26, with increased funding from $1 million to $4 million annually, and organizations can now apply every two years instead of annually. The program offers two distinct funding streams with separate application periods.

Program Updates for 2025-26:

• Total program funding increased to $4 million (from $1 million)
• Organizations can apply every two years
• Two funding calls per year (Spring and Fall)
• Projects supported up to maximum of 90%
• New regional funding stream added

Spring 2025-26 - Emergency Service Individual Organization Funding: Supports individual emergency service organizations with equipment purchases up to $30,000. This funding supports independent initiatives tailored to individual organizations' operational needs, equipment or programs aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities.

Fall 2025-26 - Emergency Service Regional Funding: Supports regional projects up to $200,000, awarded to first responder organizations in partnership with municipalities. This funding addresses collective needs of multiple emergency response organizations across broader geographic areas, ensuring coordinated region-wide preparedness, response and recovery efforts.