Local firefighters are getting better access to life-saving study materials, courtesy of a new partnership and a significant financial boost from Enbridge Gas.
The Burk’s Falls and District Fire Department has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Safe Community Project Assist program, which is supported by Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC).
The funds will be used to purchase firefighting training materials, supplementing the department’s existing resources.
In a Dec. 9 press release, Burk’s Falls’ fire chief Joe Readman expressed his gratitude for the timing of the grant.
“We are thrilled to be successful in this year’s Safe Community Project Assist,” said Readman. “These funds will be used to expand our current textbook library, providing easier access to study materials for the firefighters of The Burk’s Falls and District Fire Department.”
Enbridge Gas is distributing a total investment of $125,000 this year across 25 Ontario fire departments, including the Burk’s Falls department, as part of its ongoing commitment to public safety. The funds are earmarked for educational materials to assist in training firefighters in essential techniques.
Andrew Craig, Supervisor of Operations at Enbridge Gas, noted that safety is a core value for the company.
“We’re proud to support Ontario firefighters with emergency response training that helps them strengthen their skills, stay prepared and continue protecting the vibrant communities they serve,” Craig said.
Since its inception in 2012, the Safe Community Project Assist program has provided 394 grants to fire departments for additional firefighter training, helping departments ensure their volunteers and composite crews have access to the latest educational tools.
Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the FMPFSC, highlighted the importance of this ongoing support.
“Fire departments across Ontario train every single day and that is why it is important for them to have access to the right materials to keep their members and the public safe,” said Pegg.
“Safe Community Project Assist helps departments afford these essential training tools and supports the ongoing learning that keeps the fire service safe.”