When people think about the challenges firefighters face, one critical factor often overlooked is their heightened risk of exposure to cancer. To combat this issue, the Pembroke Fire Department was granted the Fire Protection Grant on Tuesday January 28th.
The Fire Protection (FP) Grant program was announced in the government’s 2024 Budget and is designed to support cancer prevention efforts by municipal fire departments across Ontario. The FP Grant will assist fire departments in acquiring critical equipment to enhance firefighter health and safety, and minor infrastructure at the local level.
Members of council, Mayor Ron Gervais, MPP John Yakabuski and others gathered in city hall to present the Pembroke’s Fire Department with the first round of the FP Grant. Yakabuski emphasized the crucial importance of this grant, particularly for firefighters who are regularly exposed to hazardous materials while risking their lives to save others.
The FP Grant will be awarded over three years, with a total of $10 million available each year. The types of projects eligible for grant funding will be revisited annually to ensure that the FP Grant continues to meet local and provincial priorities. Pembroke’s Fire Chief, Captain Scott Selle, shares with myFM how the FP Grant will help his team maintain the highest level of safety possible.
The decontamination unit will enable firefighters to remove up to 90 percent of soot, debris, and other toxic particles right at the scene. It also allows them to safely bag contaminated clothing and uniforms before returning to the truck. The grant enabled the Pembroke Fire Department to purchase the decontamination unit, along with high-quality hoods designed to protect the neck area—one of the areas most at risk for cancer exposure in firefighters.
Selle discusses the next two phases of the FP Grant and how the department will continue to advocate for cancer protection and prevention for the men and women exposed to harmful carcinogens.
This critical support from the FP Grant marks an important step toward safeguarding the health of firefighters, and the Pembroke Fire Department remains committed to advancing cancer prevention efforts for its dedicated team in the years ahead.
(Written by: Emma Butler)
