The Township of Wainfleet Fire & Emergency Services is pleased to announce it has received more than $33,000 in funding through the first year of Ontario's new Fire Protection Grant. This funding will be used to advance cancer prevention initiatives and enhance the safety of firefighters.
The grant is part of a historic three-year, $30-million provincial program announced in the 2024 Budget, which prioritizes firefighter health and safety. In Wainfleet, this investment will fund key fire protection enhancements, including advanced decontamination systems and additional personal protective equipment (PPE) to better protect firefighters while on the job.
Firefighters face a significantly higher risk of developing serious health problems due to exposure to hazardous chemicals. Across Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die from cancer each year, with half of those losses occurring in Ontario. The cancer mortality rate for firefighters is up to four times higher than that of the general population.
This funding will help Wainfleet Fire & Emergency Services acquire specialized equipment for the thorough decontamination of bunker gear, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and other firefighting tools. These measures are designed to reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related hazardous materials and carcinogens - helping to keep our firefighters safer and healthier throughout their careers.
Quotes:
"This grant is a great investment in the well-being and safety of our neighbours, friends, and family who serve as volunteer firefighters in Wainfleet. It means so much to know that the province is helping us protect the people who protect our community."
- Brian Grant, Mayor, Township of Wainfleet
"This funding represents a fantastic partnership between the province and our municipality, allowing us to address firefighter safety and advance our cancer prevention initiatives proactively. This support will have a direct and lasting impact on the health of our fire service."
- Mallory Luey, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Wainfleet
"Wainfleet Fire & Emergency Services, is incredibly grateful to the Province of Ontario and the Solicitor General for providing this funding that supports firefighter health and safety, and look forward to working with the SOLGEN on future programs that make our first responders and communities a safer place to work and live."
- Morgan Alcock, Fire Chief/CEMC, Wainfleet Fire & Emergency Services