The provincial government is putting more than $300,000 into fire services across the Northwest to help expand cancer prevention and improve responses to lithium-ion battery related fires.
The funding to 12 municipalities in the region is part of the province's Fire Protection Grant. Some of the grants include $34,517 to the City of Dryden, $19,626 to Fort Frances, $17,372 to Ignace, $52,821 to the City of Kenora, and $48,000 to Rainy River.
Fire services can use the funding to purchase equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment that enhance municipal cancer prevention initiatives, equipment and supplies for lithium-ion battery incident response, and on minor infrastructure upgrades and modernization, including enhanced broadband and internet connectivity.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford said the funding is a reflection of the province's commitment to supporting firefighters across Northwestern Ontario.
"Moving out of city and town centres, we have fire operations and services entirely driven by volunteers, and we are ensuring that throughout Kenora-Rainy River, first responders have the capacity and support for all the work that they do," he said.
Chief Chris Wood of the Dryden Fire Service said cancer remains the leading cause of firefighter deaths in Canada, accounting for nearly 85 per cent of line-of-duty fatalities.
"The Fire Protection Grant is a critical investment that will allow us to modernize our respiratory protection and decontamination systems, significantly reducing occupational cancer risks for our firefighters," he said.
Wood added that traumatic injuries, psychological trauma, and suicide continue to be significant contributors to lost-time injuries and long-term impacts within the fire service.
"Through the Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel program, our firefighters will receive critical training to conduct critical incident stress management debriefings and strengthen peer support, ensuring no firefighter ever faces a traumatic event or mental health challenge alone," he said.
"Our most valuable asset is our people, and I am grateful to the Province of Ontario for making this vital investment in firefighter cancer prevention and mental health."