As part of the 2024 Budget, Ontario announced the three-year $30 million Fire Protection Grant to support firefighter health and safety. This year, 374 municipal fire departments will receive funding to support cancer prevention initiatives. In 2024, each fire station received approximately $8,230 to provide their firefighters with safety equipment to aid in cancer prevention, a major concern in firefighting, and there is a marked increase in workplace-related cancers.
With this valuable Fire Protection Grant, the Blind River Fire Department was able to procure and issue particulate-blocking firefighting hoods, firefighting gloves, and an in-field decontamination kit. These tools ensure Blind River’s firefighters can protect the municipality and stay safe.
"While others run from danger, firefighters run towards it. Our government is serving those who serve by ensuring Ontario's firefighting community has the resources they need to come home safely at the end of the day. That's why through our Working for Workers bills, we are expanding presumptive coverage for occupational cancers such as skin cancer. But we also must do more to prevent occupational cancers and injuries before they happen. Today's investment is part of our whole-of-government plan to safeguard our firefighting community by complementing our Skills Development Fund investments in fire safety training and new training facilities, as well as unlocking $400 million through the WSIB for frontline worker mental health, injury and illness prevention, and recovery." - David Piccini Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
“Council is very grateful for our Volunteer Firefighters. The Team puts their community first, whether it be at skill-development practice or when their pager goes off at 2 a.m. Council is thrilled that the Province of Ontario has provided our team with gear that will help keep our team healthy.” Mayor Sally Hagman, Town of Blind River.
The Blind River Fire Team would like to ask the public to stay tuned for more exciting open-house and community engagement activities in 2025. Please keep monitoring Blind River’s social media to ensure you do not miss out.