The Ontario government is investing $30 million over three years to provide 374 municipal fire departments, including Dufferin and Caledon, with funding to support cancer prevention initiatives. 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.
These funds 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.
In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer every year and half of those are from Ontario. This funding will ensure firefighters are kept safe, while they are keeping our communities safe.
