FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The OAFC Grateful For Government Support Following 2024 Ontario Budget Announcement
[AJAX, ON]
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) wishes to express its gratitude for the robust partnership it shares with the government and their unwavering support for Ontario’s Fire Service.
The Government of Ontario is dedicated to the safety of its communities and the support of the province’s firefighters. To safeguard first responders and the communities of Ontario, it is essential that fire departments are equipped with the necessary resources, including appropriate infrastructure and protective gear.
In a significant development, the government has announced the creation of the Fire Protection Grant, amounting to $30 million, to be disbursed over the next three years. This grant will provide much-needed financial assistance to Ontario’s fire departments, bolstering and ensuring the safety of the public and our firefighters.
Ontario is home to 437 fire departments, both career and volunteer, that operate around the clock to keep over 15 million Ontarians safe. The creation of this grant and the commitment of this funding will significantly contribute to their success.
In addition to the grant, the implementation of simultaneous notification in the Halton Region marks another milestone. This initiative, along with the province’s ongoing efforts to expand this access province-wide, will enhance firefighter response to emergencies. It will also equip fire departments with real-time information, making responses safer and more effective, and enhancing Ontario’s public safety response model for the people of this province.
The OAFC is confident that these measures will significantly contribute to the safety and effectiveness of fire services across Ontario and looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the government and working together to ensure the safety and well-being of all Ontarians.
Quote:
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) is thankful for the strong partnership we have with this government and their support for the Ontario Fire Service. The creation of a fire services grant of $30 million over the next three years, will assist Ontario’s fire departments with ensuring public and firefighter safety during challenging economic times. The 437 fire departments in Ontario, be it career or volunteer, operate 24/7 to keep Ontarians safe; and the creation of this grant and commitment of this funding is instrumental to that success. Additionally, the implementation of simultaneous notification in Halton region and the work being undertaken by the province to expand this access province-wide will improve firefighter response to emergencies and provide fire departments with real-time information that will make responses safer and more effective.
—Deputy Chief Rob Grimwood, President, OAFC
About us:
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC): The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) is a non-partisan, non-profit association that represents the Chief Fire Officers of the 437 fire departments in the Province of Ontario. The 437 fire departments are divided into 32 career fire departments, 43 composite fire departments and 362 volunteer fire departments. There are approximately 30,716 firefighters in Ontario including about 18,281 volunteer firefighters, 11,971 career firefighters and 464 part time firefighters.
These Chief Fire Officers are ultimately responsible, by statute, for the management and delivery of fire, rescue, and emergency response to the 15 million residents of Ontario. We are the trusted advisor to government when it comes to public and firefighter safety. The OAFC supports initiatives designed to improve the fire and life safety of our members and all who reside in Ontario.
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