New provincial funding will help keep Chatham-Kent firefighters safe.
The funding through the Fire Protection Grant will be used to purchase equipment and make infrastructure upgrades to help reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals.
As part of the 2024 Budget, Ontario announced the three-year $30 million Fire Protection Grant to support firefighter health and safety.
Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services is one of 374 departments to receive funding this year, receiving a grant of $156,378.
Government officials say the funding will see fire services across the province purchase specialized washing and drying equipment to decontaminate bunker gear and wildland firefighting coveralls. It will also allow for facility and infrastructure upgrades to allow for proper air purification and ventilation systems.
“Public safety is about more than just equipping our first responders with the tools they need on the job – it’s about ensuring they are looked after and supported both on and off the job,” said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. “That’s why this $30 million grant is directly supporting the health of countless firefighters who put their safety on the line every day to protect our communities.”
Studies have shown firefighters are more likely to experience health problems because of exposure to hazardous chemicals. In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer every year and half of those are from Ontario.