Area fire departments are getting more than $200,000 this fiscal year from the provincial government for efforts to prevent firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
The Ontario government announced earlier this month it is investing $30 million over three years to provide 374 municipal fire departments with funding to support cancer prevention initiatives.
The funding through the Fire Protection Grant will be used to buy equipment and make infrastructure upgrades to help reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals. The $30 million grant will be administered over three years, with $10 million being reserved for each year.
Municipal fire departments in the Leeds and Grenville area will get a total of $204,675 in the first year, provincial officials announced.
The money will allow fire departments to 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.
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