The Ontario government is giving a grant to firefighters in the City of Oshawa, Municipality of Clarington and the Township of Scugog of $220,629 through the Fire Protection Grant.
The funding will help municipal fire departments expand cancer prevention initiatives and improve emergency response to lithium-ion battery related incidents.
The City of Oshawa will receive $102,613.60 for the purchase and installation of diesel exhaust extraction system for hall 5, remove and renovate existing exhaust extraction system from hall 5 and reinstall in halls 2, 3 and 4.
“Our firefighters face hazards that aren’t always visible, including carcinogenic contaminants that can accumulate over time,” said Oshawa Fire Chief Stephen Barkwell. “This grant enables us to take important steps to reduce those risks through better exhaust control, improved air cleaning systems, and enhanced respiratory protection. We appreciate the province’s continued support as we work to safeguard the health of our crews.”
The Municipality of Clarington will receive $86,016.09 for renovations to existing hose towers to create bunker gear cleaning/drying areas, purchase and installation of extractor and dryers, the purchase and installation of a new exhaust fan, and the purchase and installation of a SCBA washing unit.
“On behalf of Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the Province for their continued investment in fire protection,” said Mariano Perini, Fire Chief. “This funding directly supports the health, safety, and readiness of our crews, ensuring we can continue protecting the public with the highest standards of service.”
The Township of Scugog will receive $32,000 for the installation of 2 new showers (per station) and ventilation systems, related installation costs, 4 lithium battery encapsulator fire extinguishers, 4 encapsulating containers, and 2 transformer nozzle system EV-Kits.
“The Ontario Fire Protection Grant is a significant investment in the safety and resilience of our community. On behalf of Scugog Fire & Emergency Services, I want to thank the Province of Ontario for recognizing the critical role municipal fire services play in protecting residents. These funds will directly support improvements to our Stations, equipment for lithium-ion battery fires, and operational readiness, ensuring our firefighters; both career and volunteer, have the tools and resources they need to respond safely and effectively. This grant strengthens our ability to serve the Township of Scugog today while preparing us for the growing and changing demands of emergency response in the future.” said Mike Matthews, Fire Chief Scugog Fire & Emergency Services
This funding will support eligible projects including:
• Equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment that enhance municipal cancer
prevention initiatives
• Equipment and supplies for lithium-ion battery incident response
• Minor infrastructure upgrades and modernization, including enhanced broadband and
internet connectivity
Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham stated that “Every fire fighter in Ontario has chosen a life where the call to service to their communities comes first, often before their own lives and families. Which is why our government is committed to ensuring that our first responders have the necessary tools they need to keep our communities safe and investing in updated equipment and renovations through this year’s Fire Protection Grant is evidence that investing in our fire fighters is an investment in our community”
This year’s Fire Protection Grant will support all 380 municipal fire services in Ontario, helping the approximately 33,000 firefighters who protect Ontario and keep our communities safe.