PROVINCE PROVIDES 6 LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS WITH $380,000 FOR NEW BUNKER GEAR AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO HELP SUPPORT CANCER PREVENTION

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — Firefighter and public safety have been enhanced with almost $400,000 from the province for Muskoka’s six fire departments.

The health and safety funding will support cancer prevention initiatives, minor infrastructure upgrades and modernization, and improve emergency response to lithium-ion battery related incidents at the local fire departments, says a release today.

“This funding highlights our government’s commitment to fire protection for our communities,” said local MPP Graydon Smith. “By investing in cancer prevention initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and enhancing emergency response through the Fire Prevention Grant, we are protecting our firefighters so they can continue to keep families safe.”

Funding received through the Fire Protection Grant will help support vital equipment and upgrades for the fire departments in the following communities, including:

  • Bracebridge – $32,890

Contributions to the personal protective equipment exchange program for particulate hoods and gear, to enhance firefighter safety through cancer prevention measures. Eight sets of bunker gear, and firefighter personal decontamination supplies were also purchased.

  • Georgian Bay – $52,821

Investments in cancer prevention, including a quantitative fit-testing machine to ensure every firefighter’s Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and N95 mask fits properly, individually assigned SCBA facepieces to reduce cross-contamination, and specialized equipment to thoroughly clean fire hoses after incidents.

  • Gravenhurst – $51,528

Improved access to appropriate personal protective equipment, including flash hoods, boots, bunker gear, gloves and helmets.

  • Huntsville – $30,320

The addition of spare turnout gear and a new extractor to wash dirty equipment. This machine now cleans four suits at a time instead of one, helping to maintain service levels and support operational efficiency.

  • Lake of Bays – $52,821

The addition of three fire service washer extractors, one for each station, to improve gear cleaning after calls and reduce firefighter exposure to contaminants and cancer-causing substances. Seven upgraded sets of firefighting suits will also be purchased to enhance outer protection.

  • Muskoka Lakes – $164,400

Funding will support the purchase of two specialized gear-cleaning extractors to improve routine washing of protective clothing, 28 additional sets of bunker gear so firefighters have a second clean set available, and five nozzles designed to help safely cool lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles during fires.

As well, the Muskoka fire chiefs remain committed to strong regional collaboration to ensure consistent, high-quality fire protection services across the district.

Through their regular coordination, shared training initiatives, automatic and mutual aid agreements, and joint emergency planning, the six municipalities work together to strengthen operational readiness and support one another during major incidents.

The cooperative approach enhances firefighter safety, improves response capabilities, and ensures residents across Muskoka receive seamless service when it matters most.
“Our local firefighters are responding to a larger volume of incidents every year,” Huntsville/Lake of Bay Fire Chief Gary Monahan said in a release today.

“Less time between calls means less time available to adequately clean their gear to remove the contaminants and carcinogens they encounter when fighting fires.

“Firefighters play a tremendous role in keeping our community safe, and it’s important they have access to proper, clean gear so they can be protected.”

“This investment directly supports the health and safety of our firefighters as they respond to more calls, added Kevin Plested, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, Town of Bracebridge.

“Ensuring they have modern, properly maintained protective equipment is essential not only for cancer prevention, but for maintaining operational readiness in a growing community.”

Left: Peter Koetsier (Mayor, Township of Georgian Bay), Tony Van Dam (Outgoing Director of Fire and Emergency Services/Fire Chief, Township of Georgian Bay), Chad Dowell (Incoming Director of Fire and Emergency Services/Fire Chief, Township of Georgian Bay), Heidi Lorenz (Mayor, Town of Gravenhurst), Jared Cayley (Director of Fire and Emergency Services/Fire Chief, Town of Gravenhurst), MPP Graydon Smith, Gary Monahan (Fire Chief, Town of Huntsville), Nancy Alcock (Mayor, Town of Huntsville), Terry Glover (Mayor, Township of Lake of Bays), Kevin Plested (Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief, Town of Bracebridge), Brenda Rhodes (Deputy Mayor, Town of Bracebridge), Ryan Murrell (Fire Chief, Township of Muskoka Lakes), Peter Kelley (Mayor, Township of Muskoka Lakes). PHOTO Town of Huntsville

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