MISSISSAUGA, ON – JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc. is proud to announce the Victoria Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) in Victoria by the Sea, P.E.I., as well as the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta (SARDAA) based in Edmonton, AB, as the most recent recipients of the KENWOOD Cares grant. The grant program, which has awarded over $110,000 since launching in 2014, awards a non-profit volunteer organization with $10,000 in KENWOOD communications equipment.
Victoria by the Sea is a picturesque fishing village on the southern shore of Prince Edward Island. Unfortunately, the area experienced significant impacts from Hurricane Fiona, and as the region’s first responders, the Victoria Volunteer Fire Department undertook heroic efforts. VFD not only provides fire response to the region, but also carries the role of medical first responders, disaster response, and search and rescue. Communication being a key component to emergency response, upgraded communications equipment will have a significant impact on VFD’s ability to respond and communicate during future response efforts.
Victoria Volunteer Fire Department
“Small rural volunteer fire departments are often underfunded in Prince Edward Island and across Canada. Volunteer fire departments are engaged in fundraising activities to augment limited budgets. The Victoria Volunteer Fire Department in Victoria by the Sea is thrilled to have been selected by the KENWOOD Cares organization to receive a grant for $10,000 in radio equipment for our department. The recent events during and after Hurricane Fiona exposed some gaps in our communication equipment and capabilities, and this grant will help our department address this issue more rapidly and effectively than would otherwise be possible,” said Dale MacDonald, Fire Chief, Victoria by the Sea, P.E.I.
“This grant will also allow VFD to stretch limited resources to focus on other necessary equipment. This support from KENWOOD Cares addresses a critical need for our department and will help our department fulfill our mission to protect lives and property in our community. Our volunteers and leadership group at Victoria by the Sea Volunteer Fire Department wish to thank KENWOOD Cares and JVCKENWOOD Canada for the important work that they are doing by supporting fire departments in Canada,” added Chief MacDonald.
“The VFD submission clearly outlined their community need for improved radio communication equipment to aid in fire suppression and natural disaster response efforts,” stated Wilf Mulder, Vice President, Safety and Security Division at JVCKENWOOD Canada. “Volunteers provide a critical link in responding to communities call for help. We are pleased to support the VFD in doing their work.”
The KENWOOD radio equipment will be configured by Island Mobile Communications, an authorized KENWOOD dealer serving Prince Edward Island.
“We are happy to see Victoria Volunteer Fire Department selected as a KENWOOD Cares grant recipient. We know first-hand the difference this deserving organization makes in the community, and the new communications equipment will only enhance that,” said Dave Hodge, President, Island Mobile Communications.
Also recently awarded is the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta, which was founded in 1989 with a mandate to train and deploy dog-and-handler teams on search and rescue missions within the province of Alberta, and beyond. SARDAA responds to official callouts from agencies such as Edmonton Police Service, RCMP or fire departments. From 1991 to 2023, SARDAA teams participated in over 300 searches, with many documented successes.
Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta
“The Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta is grateful to JVCKENWOOD Canada for providing us with this generous grant. With approximately 30 members, this grant will allow us to upgrade our radio inventory so that every member will have access to the use of a radio,” said Lisa Irving, President, Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta. “This enhanced radio capacity will increase the safety of our teams both in training scenarios and when responding to search calls. Further, this grant will help us continue to serve our community in the most safe and efficient manner possible. Thank you, JVCKENWOOD!”
“Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta is a valued volunteer organization providing a critical service in the Province of Alberta. We are pleased to enhance their response capabilities with this grant award,” stated Wilf Mulder, Vice President, Safety & Security Division at JVCKENWOOD Canada.
The KENWOOD radio equipment will be configured by WCI Whyte Communications, a Division of the Prairie Mobile Group, serving Edmonton and surrounding region.
“We are thrilled that the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta has been selected as a KENWOOD Cares grant recipient. It is our honour to support them in upgrading their communications equipment,” said Kimberley Bishop, President of the Prairie Mobile Group of Companies.
Applications are open for the KENWOOD Cares grant program. JVCKENWOOD Canada will again be awarding a Canadian volunteer emergency organization with a communication system support grant valued at $10,000 in equipment. The submission deadline is June 30, 2023. For full details, please visit www.kenwoodcares.ca.
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About JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc.
JVCKENWOOD is a merger of two iconic consumer electronics brands, JVC and KENWOOD. JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of JVCKENWOOD Corporation, a global manufacturer specializing in Automotive, Media and Professional System Solutions. JVCKENWOOD creates excitement and peace of mind, while aiming to become a business group that is widely trusted by society. For more information, visit www.ca.jvckenwood.com.
About Victoria Volunteer Fire Department
Victoria Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) serves the residents and businesses in Victoria by the Sea and surrounding area. VFD also supports their community by providing fire safety and prevention education.
About Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta
Established in 1989, the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta is a volunteer, non-profit group of dogs, handlers and field techs who serve the community in times of emergency or disaster. SARDAA offers its self-sufficient, volunteer services in areas such as urban search, cadaver, and water search, and in disaster search incidents. For more information, visit https://sardaa.ca/.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT
Ashley Gallien | Assistant Manager, Corporate Communication Division
[email protected] | 905-908-0214