Local fire departments flooded with funding from Enbridge, Fire Marshal and province

Firefighting will be even safer thanks to recent donations presented at the Midland Fire Station.

“We have a great donation from Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council here,” said Midland and Penetanguishene emergency services/fire chief Richard Renaud, “to donate $5,000 for us to buy training materials for our firefighters so that we can better serve our communities by keeping up to date with ever-changing tactics and materials.”

Through a grant from the Safe Community Project Assist by Enbridge Gas, communities where the company operates will receive the training supplement donations.

On hand for the cheque presentation were several dignitaries, including Acting Ontario Fire Marshal and Acting Chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council John McBeth.

“This program has been in existence since 2012, and to date Enbridge has donated over $1.8 million in training materials,” said McBeth. “This program is exceptional and it has such a huge effect on the fire service at a local level.

“Firefighters train every single day and training never stops. Being able to provide these resources to the fire service to allow the training to continue is what’s needed most. These resources are a small testament to Enbridge’s commitment, but this is being replicated across the province, which is having a huge impact locally,” McLean added.

As training materials get frequently updated, the replacement timeframe for those items happens roughly every two years according to Renaud. “A lot of the material is trying to solve changing behaviour, and that’s a difficult one.”

Working smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide alarms were stressed by those in attendance as the most important life-saving devices, with a note that their ten-year lifespan means they should be tested frequently and replaced before they expire.

Another valuable point was for families to have a plan to exit through two paths and meet at a safe place. “In an emergency, people have a hard time remembering the basics – so practice it so that it’s muscle memory,” said Renaud, “so that we’re not worried about people inside when they’re exiting.” 

Volunteer firefighters are needed in all North Simcoe departments, and Mayor Bill Gordon shared words of encouragement for residents to contribute and be a reason to help the community while making use of the training materials.

“The firefighting side is really rewarding; it’s a lot of fun. It’s never the same kind of call every day,” said Gordon, noting various disciplines that volunteer firefighters would undertake in their assistance. “Really, it’s two-thirds of 9-1-1. The police look after that, but fire and the paramedics co-exist and do a lot of life-saving.”

McLean added: “Volunteer firefighters play such an integral role in our community safety organizations that being a volunteer definitely has its rewards, and giving back to your community when your community is needing you most is definitely exceptional.”

On the same day, the Ontario government announced that $30 million in funding over three years would be provided to nearly 375 departments across the province, intended for decontamination equipment while potentially dealing with cancer-causing contaminants.

Within North Simcoe fire departments, Midland was slated to receive $8,230; Penetanguishene to receive $8,230; Tay Township for $32,920; and Tiny Township to receive $41,150.

“This extra bit of money from the government – $10 million in year one – is going to allow those programs to be enhanced,” said McLean, “and for those departments that haven’t been able to spend money in this area to establish a program to make sure that those heroes that protect our communities are protected themselves when we need it most.

“Fire safety is a 365-day activity. Our message to Ontarians is that we want you to be safe,” McLean said. “When we become complacent, we forget about some of the safety tips that we’re reminded of every day – that’s when tragedy can strike. Take the time today and make sure you have working smoke alarms, and that’s the best way to protect you and your family.”