North Simcoe municipal fire departments will receive $329,000 as part of the province's $20-million Ontario Fire Protection Grant.
“I'm proud to join our local fire services, municipal leaders and community partners as we celebrate an important investment in the safety and resilience of our communities,” Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop said as she joined regional officials and area fire department heads at the the Wyevale #2 fire hall station Friday.
“Today's announcement recognizes the incredible work our firefighters do every single day under dangerous and unpredictable conditions to keep our families, our businesses and our neighbours safe.”
The three categories of protection which the funding will address are: Cancer prevention and decontamination of equipment; handling emerging technology risks such as response equipment for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and personal devices and general infrastructure modernization including station upgrades and training for members.
“Our government understands that protecting those who protect us means making meaningful investments in modern equipment, training, and infrastructure,” said Dunlop, who is the province's Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
“That is why the Ministry of the Solicitor General recently announced a major expansion of Ontario's Fire Protection Grant."
Within the grant allocations for 380 municipal fire departments across the province, financial support within the 2025-2026 fiscal year was announced for local municipalities:
* Midland: $19,626
* Orillia: $36,223
* Penetanguishene: $19,626
* Ramara Township: $52,821
* Severn Township: $48,000
* Tay Township: $69,418
* Tiny Township: $83,303
“When this program launched last year, it provided $10 million to help municipal fire services enhance their ability to respond to today's growing and evolving risks. This year, that investment has been doubled to $20 million allowing even more departments across the province to strengthen their operations and better protect their communities,” Dunlop added.
Simcoe County Warden and Ramara Township Mayor Basil Clarke told MidlandToday that the funding was greatly appreciated.
“This government's really stepping up for us rural communities, helping us out for the health and safety of our firefighters,” said Clarke.
Ramara Fire Chief Tony Stong added: “Being a small rural municipality, the impact on a small budget is very significant. So when we get this kind of support from the province, it means a great deal to the service we provide, and getting that equipment that otherwise we wouldn't be able to afford.”
Stong noted that provincial funding of that magnitude had only come about within the last two years, and whereas a United States model receives federal funding for fire services, local fire services rely on municipal funding.
Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson stated: “We’ve got to put the helpers first – and if we can't help our helpers, how do they help the community? I think this funding puts that front and centre and protects our communities.”
The announcement was also an opportunity for the Wyevale station to showcase its new Tiny Township fire truck, which Dunlop said she was on site to see manufactured by Dependable Emergency Vehicles in Brampton prior to delivery.
“It's great to see our municipalities that are supporting our Ontario companies,” said Dunlop, “and to keep those products right here in our province.”
Tiny Fire Chief Dave Flewelling told MidlandToday that the funding announcement would help firefighters through investments in personal protective equipment and additional cleaning measures such as on-scene decontamination prior to return at the fire station.
“With the prevalence of cancer in the fire service, it's incumbent upon us to protect our workers,” said Flewelling.
In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters died to cancer every year as of 2024, according to the province, with half of those from Ontario. At the start of the funding program, it was stated that there were approximately 33,000 municipal firefighters in Ontario, consisting of over 12,500 full-time, nearly 20,000 volunteer, and roughly 400 part-time firefighters.
At a recent Tay Township meeting, Fire Chief Shawn Aymer informed council that the provincial grant would provide in-house gear washing, to shorten a five-day external decontamination into a two-day turn-around, which was considered a great benefit.
“I hope it's seen as an investment in our people's health and safety,” said Flewelling.
Flewelling added that Tiny Township would be hosting firefighter recruitment on February 9, open to all members of the public and with information available on the municipal website. “No training required in advance; we can train everyone to the standard we need them to be.”