Ontario doubling Fire Protection Grant funding this year

Ontario is doubling its investment this year for the protection of firefighters in the province.

The provincial government is putting in $20 million into its Fire Protection Grant funding, up from $10 million last year. The investment will help municipal fire departments expand cancer prevention initiatives and improve emergency response to lithium-ion battery related incidents.

“Firefighters are always there when we need them, running towards danger to protect our homes and our communities,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “That is why we’re doubling this year’s Fire Protection Grant, giving firefighters across the province the tools they need to stay safe and effectively respond to life-threatening emergencies.”

The Fire Protection Grant is available to municipal fire departments for both new and existing initiatives. Eligible projects include:

• 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 modernisation, including enhanced broadband and internet connectivity

This is a welcome development, according to stakeholders.

“Occupational cancers continue to be a leading cause of death, and this grant will enable fire departments to implement cancer prevention programmes that reduce that risk. In addition, responses to lithium-ion battery incidents present new and emerging challenges, for which this grant will allow fire departments to invest in training and equipment to help mitigate the risks,” said Rob Grimwood, deputy fire chief and president, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. “Ontario’s fire departments and firefighters greatly value our extremely positive relationship with the provincial government and thank them for this very important investment.”

Greg Horton, president of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, added: “Too many firefighters are impacted by occupational cancer every year, even though they wear their supplied gear and follow strict health and safety protocols. I commend the Ontario government for doubling its Fire Protection Grant initiative. This crucial funding will allow local departments to purchase specialised personal protective equipment and, importantly, washing and drying equipment to properly decontaminate their bunker gear. This is a timely and significant announcement to share with firefighters and the communities they serve.”

There are approximately 33,000 municipal firefighters in Ontario. This includes more than 12,500 full-time firefighters, more than 20,000 volunteer firefighters, and almost 400 part-time firefighters.

Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 improved cancer coverage for firefighters, investigators, and volunteers by removing the requirement that a firefighter’s primary-site colorectal diagnosis must be made before the age of 61 and lowering the required duration of service for primary-site kidney cancer care coverage from 20 to 10 years, which is the lowest duration of service in Canada.

Currently, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is pushing for legislation that would provide better protections for workers amid worsening air quality, according to a report.