The province of Ontario is investing over $621,000 in 10 local fire services through the Fire Protection Grant to help municipal fire departments expand cancer prevention initiatives and improve emergency response to lithium-ion battery related incidents.
The announcement was made by Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff in Wainfleet in late December. Oosterhoff was jointed by Brian Grant, Mayor of the Township of Wainfleet, as well as Wainfleet’s Chief Administrative Officer, Fire Chief, and Deputy Fire Chief.
“Our brave firefighters put their lives at risk every day and at every call,” said Oosterhoff. “Today’s announcement is another example of how our government is putting frontline responders and their families first by supporting protective equipment and technology upgrades that will protect firefighters.”
The funding supports eligible projects, including equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment that enhance municipal cancer prevention initiatives, equipment and supplies for lithium-ion battery incident response, as well as small-scale infrastructure upgrades and modernization, such as better broadband and internet connection.
Wainfleet Mayor Brian Grant spoke at the announcement as well.
“This funding from the Fire Protection Grant is a vital investment that allows us to modernize our local fire services,” said Grant. “By expanding our cancer prevention protocols and equipping our team to handle the unique nature of rural firefighting, we are ensuring that those who run toward danger are better protected.”
A perspective from fire services was added in by Morgan Alcock, Fire Chief of Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services.
“Funding through the Fire Protection Grant will allow our department to invest in critical protective equipment and improved rural broadband connectivity that enhance firefighter safety, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness,” said Alcock.
“These investments will help reduce long-term health risks, strengthen emergency response coordination and ensure our firefighters have dependable access to vital information when operating in remote or challenging environments.”
According to the province, this year’s Fire Protection Grant will support all 380 municipal fire services in Ontario.
The amounts received by Niagara Region municipalities include:
- Fort Erie: $64,000
- Grimsby: $36,223
- Lincoln: $64,000
- Niagara Falls: $119,211
- Niagara-on-the-Lake: $80,000
- Pelham: $52,821
- Wainfleet: $52,821
- Welland: $29,490
- West Lincoln: $32,000
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
