Picton – The Ontario government is providing the County of Prince Edward with $164,450 in funding through the Fire Protection Grant to support the municipality’s firefighter cancer prevention program.
“County firefighters are on the frontlines keeping us safe everyday. Our firefighters need the tools and equipment to stay safe and healthy now and in the future. We welcome the Ontario government stepping up to help us deliver on our commitment to local firefighters,” Mayor Steve Ferguson says.
The municipality will use the funds to purchase a second automated equipment decontamination machine. This machine removes hazardous substances from the equipment worn by firefighters. The machine will be installed at the Consecon fire station, helping reduce the time required to clean equipment.
Additional plans include the purchase of hose washing machines, new respiratory protection equipment, and spare personal protective equipment to ensure that firefighters can promptly return to service following a response to an emergency incident.
“The World Health Organization recently reclassified firefighting to its highest level of occupational risk for cancer. This development reinforces just how important it is that our equipment is clean and free of hazardous substances,” says Interim Fire Chief Tim Kraemer. “We applaud the Government of Ontario’s action to protect firefighters and the doubling of funds in 2026. On behalf of Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue, I want to express my gratitude to the provincial government for investing in the health of our firefighters.”
In 2026, the Government of Ontario doubled Fire Protection Grant funding available to municipal fire departments from $10 million to $20 million. In the first year of the grant program, the County of Prince Edward received more than $82,000 to support the purchase of an automated equipment decontamination machine that was installed at the Picton fire station. The municipality also purchased two powered air purifying respirators and respirator face pieces.
“This $164,450 investment through the Ontario Fire Protection Grant will help ensure that Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue firefighters have access to well-fitting, modern safety equipment and cleaning technology. I’m pleased that our government is investing in people dedicated to keeping their neighbours and their property safe,” says Tyler Allsopp, Member of Provincial Parliament for the Bay of Quinte.
Officials from the County of Prince Edward gathered with MPP Allsopp, Scott Hayes, Fire Protection Adviser at the Office of the Fire Marshal, and fire service personnel to celebrate the funding on Thursday, February 19.
For media inquiries, please contact Mark Kerr, Communications and Consultation Supervisor, at 613.476.2148 ext. 1009 or by email at mkerr@pecounty.on.ca