The province has announced a $30 million investment over three years for 374 municipal fire departments, including stations in Perth County.
The Fire Protection Grant will be used to purchase equipment and make infrastructure upgrades to reduce long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals.
Locally, Stratford FD will receive $16,460. North Perth and Perth East are getting $24,691 each. St. Marys and West Perth are each receiving $8,230.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said firefighters put service over self everyday, facing dangerous situations to protect their communities.
Funds will be used to purchase specialized washing and drying equipment to decontaminate bunker gear and wildland firefighting coveralls and allow for facility and infrastructure upgrades for proper air purification and ventilation systems.
The province says firefighters are more likely to experience health problems because of exposure to hazardous chemicals. In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer every year and half of those are from Ontario.
