Six fire services in the city and county of Peterborough are receiving a total of $316,565 in provincial funding to improve firefighter health and safety, modernize station infrastructure, and strengthen capacity to respond to emerging fire risks such as lithium-ion battery incidents.
The funding comes through Ontario’s Fire Protection Grant, an application-based program first introduced in the 2024 Ontario budget as a three-year initiative to provide municipal fire services with the resources needed to address contemporary safety challenges faced by Ontario’s 33,000 municipal firefighters.
According to a media release from Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, the province-wide grant has increased from $10 million to $20 million for 2025-26 so that more small and mid-sized municipalities can access specialized equipment upgrades and cancer mitigation measures.
“By doubling this year’s Fire Protection Grant, we are ensuring our local heroes have the specialized equipment and training they need to stay safe on the job and return home healthy to their families,” Smith said in the release.
Eligible projects for 2025-26 grants focus on cancer prevention, response to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and electronics, and infrastructure modernization including high-speed broadband for rural fire halls.
The projects in the city and county of Peterborough receiving grants are listed below.
Selwyn Township – Advanced Decon & PFAS-Free Gear – $82,225
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) are so-called “forever chemicals” present in older firefighter gear that pose health concerns including increased cancer risk. Selwyn will replace legacy gear with PFAS-free materials and install industrial decontamination cabinets to remove carcinogenic contaminants from equipment before reuse.
“Protecting the health of our firefighters is one of our highest priorities,” said Selwyn Fire Chief Gord Jopling. “This funding enables us to invest in equipment that directly supports cancer prevention and ensures our crews’ health and safety is protected.”
Douro-Dummer Township – Station Air Quality & Hose Care – $68,141
The project will add exhaust scrubbers to remove diesel soot — a recognized carcinogen — from station air, while specialized hose-washing equipment will ensure fire hoses are free of toxic residue before they return to service.
“As we are experiencing the loss of a firefighter brother from a workplace-related cancer, the Government of Ontario’s financial support to reduce exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens really hits home for us,” said Douro-Dummer Fire Chief Chuck Pedersen.
Municiality of Trent Lakes – Modernization & SCBA Care – $65,780
Upgrades include improved station broadband, enabling real-time mapping and thermal information sharing during emergencies, and support for equipment care for self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) used during structural firefighting.
“With the implementation of this grant, we are able to ensure our firefighters are better protected while serving our community,” said Steve Brockbank, Fire Chief of Trent Lakes Fire Rescue, calling the provncial grant an investment in firefighter safety and cancer mitigation measures.
City of Peterborough – New Battery Threats & PPE – $50,000
Funding will support new fire blankets designed for lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles, which burn hotter and longer than other fires, and will provide individual face pieces to reduce cross-contamination risk between firefighters.
“Firefighting is a demanding profession that carries real and lasting health and safety risks,” said Chris Snetsinger, Chief of Peterborough Fire Services. “Whether that’s limiting exposure to contaminants or improving protective equipment, investments in firefighter safety are investments in the well-being of our entire community.”
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township – Portable Gear Drying – $31,883
Funding will support ram-air dryers that force heated airflow through the internal layers of heavy gear to prevent mould growth and to ensure equipment dries quickly between calls.
North Kawartha Township – Cancer Prevention Packs – $18,536
“Decon packs” will allow firefighters to perform an initial on-scene scrub before re-entering trucks, reducing cabin contamination and limiting secondary exposure to carcinogens following structural firefighting incidents.
“The new bunker gear will enhance firefighter safety and ensure our fire department continues to meet current safety standards,” said North Kawartha Mayor Carolyn Amyotte, adding that the provincial grant helps offset the cost to the township of acquiring critical protective equipment.
