Bracebridge awarded $16,460 from the provincial Fire Protection Grant
Bracebridge staff announced that the Town was awarded $16,460 from the province for Fire Protection Grant in the February 4, 2025, General Committee meeting.
According to the staff report, the goal of the grant is to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Fire Department as a safety precaution for cancer prevention.
The program is funded by the provincial government to municipalities across the province. “The Fire Protection Grand will be awarded over three years with a total of $10M available each year,” indicates the report.
It adds that the first year is assessed based on the number of fire stations within a municipality and upgrades required.
Staff indicated that the Fire Department applied for $29,960.00 last fall and were awarded $16,460.90.
Administrative Co-ordinator, Kim Ball, advised that the grant money received is in addition to funds that were allocated from the Capital Budget for replacement of equipment such as bunker gear, boots, and helmets.
She explained that this year’s money will go to an “exchange program” to replace contaminated equipment to ensure safety of cancer prevention at the scene. She added, that basically, “there will be additional equipment beyond the regular equipment.”
Mayor, Rick Maloney, indicated, “The program will be heavily prescribed” to follow safety and protection protocols.
Council members agreed about the importance of supporting the department’s Fire Fighters with cancer prevention.
Ball reassured them that the department “has a comprehensive program” that is also multi-faceted, including “dedicated bunker rooms with special air exchange, decontamination washing machines,” and will continue to seek opportunities to continue to make progress.
She added, “Lots of things are happening in the world regarding cancer prevention and we could be doing more,” such as building on the exchange program.
She said they want to “get to a 15% goal,” which will require the support of either budgeting or other grant opportunities.
Maloney suggested that training will be another “major component” regarding hazards and dealing with contaminated equipment.
Ball confirmed the importance of regular training programs as a critical aspect to cancer prevention. For instance, ensuring that PPE, like properly fitted masks and bunker gear, are properly worn on the scenes.
The Mayor and Corporate Services were authorized to sign an Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement to receive the grant, and staff were approved to apply for the grant each year for the next couple of years of the program.
