Fire department receiving funding for cancer prevention initiatives

The provincial government is handing out $30 million to 374 municipal fire departments in Ontario, and Fort Erie’s is one of them.

The funding is meant to support cancer prevention initiatives, says a news release from the province.

It 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.

Fort Erie Fire Department’s share is $32,921.

“Firefighters put service over self each and every day, facing dangerous situations to protect their communities,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner in the province’s news release.

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, the province said.

According to the province’s news release, firefighters are more likely to experience health problems because of exposure to hazardous chemicals.

In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer every year and half of those are from Ontario.

“Too many firefighters are impacted by occupational cancer every year, even though they wear their supplied gear and follow strict health and safety protocols,” said Greg Horton, president of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association.

There are approximately 33,000 municipal firefighters in Ontario, including over 12,500 full-time, nearly 20,000 volunteer and almost 400 part-time firefighters.

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