The Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal, has recently approved a significant $30.0M fire department grant over 3 years to support municipal fire services across Ontario. Known as the Fire Protection Grant, this funding is designed to help fire departments acquire critical equipment, address health and safety concerns, and enhance the level of fire protection service provided to communities.
Priorities and Eligibility
The first year of the Fire Protection Grant funding focuses on two key areas: firefighter health and safety, specifically cancer prevention measures, and minor infrastructure updates. These priorities were identified based on feedback from fire stakeholders across the province, who highlighted the unique challenges and risks firefighters face in the line of duty.
As such, the Ministry has outlined four categories of eligibility for the grant:
- **Cancer Prevention – Equipment**: This includes equipment such as exhaust extraction systems in fire stations or specialized washing machines for firefighting gear to remove contaminants.
- **Cancer Prevention – Personal Protective Equipment**: This covers items like face pieces, balaclavas, and other personal protective equipment designed to reduce firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens.
- **Cancer Prevention – Minor Infrastructure**: This includes improvements to fire stations, such as the installation of showers, to support firefighter decontamination and health.
- **Technology – Minor Infrastructure**: This category aims to improve connectivity and training opportunities by bringing internet access to fire stations that currently lack it.
Successful Grant Applications
The grant application window was open from July 23, 2024 to September 5, 2024, and several municipalities have already been approved for funding. Two notable examples are Selwyn Township and the Municipality of Highlands East.
Selwyn Township
Selwyn Township received $41,152.25 in Fire Protection Grant funding, which will be used for the following purposes:
- Purchase FIT testing equipment to ensure the proper fit and function of firefighters’ personal protective equipment.
- Acquisition of a bunker gear cleaning extractor and storage lockers to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of firefighting gear.
- Inclusion of these expenses in the 2025 Capital Budget, to be funded through the Fire Protection Grant.
Municipality of Highlands East
The Municipality of Highlands East has been approved for a total of $41,152.25 in Fire Protection Grant funding. This funding will be used to:
- Complete a previously initiated project of installing exhaust extraction fans in all fire stations.
- Purchase two bunker gear dryers, as an extractor was previously acquired in 2024.
- Upgrade to particulate filtering flash hoods and purchase fire decontamination wipes for quick on-scene cleanup, as the municipality has limited shower facilities in its fire stations.
The Importance of Fire Department Funding
The Fire Protection Grant is a crucial investment in the safety and capabilities of municipal fire services across Ontario. By providing funding for critical equipment, health and safety measures, and infrastructure improvements, the grant helps to ensure that firefighters are better equipped to protect their communities and mitigate the risks they face in the line of duty.
Firefighters play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and their work often goes unnoticed until an emergency arises. This grant recognizes the importance of supporting these frontline responders and ensuring they have the resources they need to perform their duties effectively and safely.
What this all means?
The Fire Protection Grant is a significant step forward in supporting the fire service in Ontario. By addressing the specific needs of firefighters, from cancer prevention to technological advancements, this funding will have a tangible impact on the level of fire protection service provided to communities across the province.
As the grant program continues to evolve and expand, it will be important for fire departments to stay informed and take advantage of the available resources. By working closely with the Ministry of the Solicitor General municipalities can ensure that their fire services are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future and provide the highest level of safety and service to the people they serve.
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