Gravenhurst Council approves $10,000 to supplement Fire Services grant
Gravenhurst Council approved $10,000 to supplement a Fire Services grant, in the January 21, 2025, meeting.
Council authorized the Fire Services Department permission for access to the additional funding from the Fire and Emergency Services Reserve, which will supplement the funding received from the provincial Fire Protection Grant.
Fire Chief, Jared Cayley, said the supplemented funding will to allow the Fire Department’s project to be completed as submitted to the province.
He added, “This is a good news story… This is a committed endeavour by the provincial government to allot money for Fire Services.”
According to the staff report last July the province opened applications for this Grant for the first time, which is exclusive to Ontario Fire Services.
Cayley indicated that the grant program is available for three years and enables the department to apply for three separate projects within this period, pending meeting eligibility requirements.
According to his report, this first phase of the program focuses on cancer prevention and will include equipment and building upgrades that are in line with cancer prevention of fire fighters.
This year’s funding will cover installation of air scrubbers in all three stations, and personal protective equipment (PPE) in dressing rooms.
The report continues, “Fire Fighter PPE can contain many contaminants, all of which are released at various rates post incident.”
It adds that new scrubbers ensure removal of carcinogens, and remove it from the air in rooms, thereby, reducing the risk of exposure to department personnel.
The total cost of the department’s project is estimated at $34,200. The Town has received $24,691 from the grant, so, the additional reserve will be enough to complete the project.
The report indicates, “To utilize those funds from the Province, the Town would need to provide the additional $10,000 to complete the project, as stipulated in the grant agreement.” Otherwise, the grant will be compromised, halting the project at this time.
Councillor, Sandy Cairns, expressed excitement and support for the project. She said, “This is really near and dear to my heart.” She explained that she has fire fighters in her family, including an uncle that passed away from chemicals due to lack of protection from them.
She added, “Our fire fighters are some of the most amazing people in our community,” given the risk to their lives.
