Fire services across the province will be getting some much needed funding and support.
The provincial government announced that they would be providing $5 million to help for fire services across Ontario address impacts of COVID-19. And that this was to be used to help enhance fire safety training and support safety inspection programs.
Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Richard Hayes with the London Fire Department pointed out that the delivery of fire services that the London community receives has not changed due to the pandemic. But it has impacted the department and the workers.
“For us though, it definitely is a difference. With the restrictions that we have in order to try to stop the spread of COVID, the wearing of PPE, personal protective equipment, and social distancing, and different criteria that’s changed how we respond, and how we interact with the public has definitely had and impact on us. Both on the front line in regard to emergency calls but particularly in fire prevention as well in getting out and actually doing inspections and public education where those opportunities become more limited,” he said.
When it comes to how the funding will be used in London, he said, “we’ve chosen to concentrate more of this particular funding into our training area, so that gives us an opportunity to enhance some of those training packages or programs.”
The three areas that London is focusing on are: 1. the fire investigator program, 2. the hazardous material program, and 3. the vehicle rescue program.
Hayes highlighted how these training programs are very important around the London area as they help to keep us safe. But that each fire department will have their own say in where the funding goes towards based on what is most needed in their area.
“It’s based off of their needs and circumstances, and it doesn’t mean that we don’t have any other needs. It’s just that these are the largest needs that we’ve identified,” said Hayes.
He explained that they are very grateful for the funding to help with their programming and training as it “keeps the level of service where it needs to be.”
“It keeps the pride and professionalism of our fire department in place as well. As people strive to meet these goals, it’s a sense of accomplishment and a sense of pride and professionalism when they obtain these specialized types of training. And then being able to utilize that skill of knowledge in the community to make a difference to each individual that they come in contact with is beyond words. And then the interactions with those people, how they feel when they are dealt with in a professional way, and you know we come to make people’s worst day better.”
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