The Town of Whitby will receive a provincial grant of over $86,000 to purchase 26 new sets of protective firefighting gear, manufactured locally in Toronto.
The $86,016.09 Fire Protection grant, provided by the provincial Solicitor General’s office, is intended to enhance the safety and well-being of Whitby’s fire crews.
Mayor Elizabeth Roy emphasized, “The safety of our firefighters and our community is always our top priority… This provincial investment will help ensure Whitby Fire and Emergency Services has access to gear that protects our firefighters.”
Fire Chief Michael Hickey added that while firefighting inherently involves risk, new equipment is essential to protect those who safeguard the community. The grant allows the department to invest directly in firefighters’ long-term health while maintaining high standards of emergency response.
Whitby MPP Lorne Coe also noted, “Whitby’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day… and they deserve the very best equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Recently, Clarington Fire received a $21,865 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada to purchase a gear extractor unit, a system that removes harmful substances from bunker gear. This adds to five gear cleaning systems now in place across Clarington fire stations, aligning with Ontario’s firefighter cancer prevention guidelines and best practices.
Photo Credits : Insauga
