Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services has been awarded $82,000 through the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Fire Protection Grant for the 2025–2026 funding year, supporting enhanced firefighter health and safety initiatives with a strong focus on cancer prevention.
The funding will be used to purchase new protective bunker gear, helping reduce firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing contaminants during emergency responses. This investment reinforces the town’s ongoing commitment to protecting the well-being of its firefighters as they serve the Niagara-on-the-Lake community.
“Ensuring the health and safety of our volunteer firefighters is an important priority for the Town,” said Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa. “On behalf of council, we are grateful for this provincial investment, which helps modernize fire services and continue delivering the highest level of protection to our firefighters and residents.”
The Fire Protection Grant was introduced by the Ontario government in 2024 to address the elevated cancer risks faced by firefighters across the province. The program supports the purchase of protective equipment, decontamination tools, ventilation upgrades, and other resources that reduce exposure to harmful substances encountered during emergency response.
“This funding allows us to make a meaningful investment in the safety of our firefighters,” said CAO Nick Ruller. “Modern, high-quality bunker gear is a critical line of defence against the hazardous environments that crews face, and this grant directly supports cancer prevention and long-term health outcomes for the team.”
The Fire Protection Grant program represents a $30 million provincial investment over three years (2024–2026) and is administered by the Office of the Fire Marshal under the Ministry of the Solicitor General. In 2025, the program expanded to include funding for lithium-ion battery incident-response tools and fire-station connectivity improvements, further strengthening fire service capabilities across Ontario.
“On behalf of the entire Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services Department, we extend our sincere thanks to the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Ministry of the Solicitor General for their continued support of Ontario fire departments,” said Fire Chief Jay Plato. “This grant will greatly benefit our team and support their well-being on and off the job.”