Central York Fire Services receiving $39K for pandemic training, safety inspections

'The current challenges we face can take a toll on frontline workers, so a portion of these funds will be allocated to training instructors in a mindfulness program... ,' says fire chief of provincial funding

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 22, 2021

Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, and Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, announced that the Ontario government is investing $39,000 to help Central York Fire Services in the Town of Newmarket and Town of Aurora address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will enhance fire safety training and support safety inspection programs to ensure compliance with the Ontario Fire Code.

"Our government is committed to supporting Ontario’s firefighters in their efforts to protect our communities,” said MPP Christine Elliott. “This new investment will enhance fire safety in Newmarket and Aurora by providing the technology and equipment needed to support training and fire inspections during these unprecedented times. We are grateful for the dedication and service of the Central York Fire Services to these communities."

"The impacts of the pandemic are being felt by frontline workers everywhere, and our heroes in the municipal fire services are no exception,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “That is why our government is committed to continue providing them with the support they need to keep themselves and our communities safe. This important investment of $39,000 will help Central York Fire Services enhance fire safety training, support safety inspection programs, and support updates to specialized critical equipment."

“These are changing and challenging times and we in the fire service are pleased to see the Ontario government stepping forward with funding which will assist with providing new technologies to make fire prevention more effective, while enabling more safety measures for staff,” said Ian Laing, Fire Chief, Central York Fire Services. “The current challenges we face can take a toll on frontline workers, so a portion of these funds will be allocated to training instructors in a mindfulness program designed to deal with keeping staff prepared to more effectively handle the realities faced in emergency services.”

The funding is part of a $5-million provincial investment to help municipal fire services respond to the local impacts of COVID-19 that created risks and unprecedented challenges for fire departments to conduct training and fire safety inspections.

This one-time funding will enhance in-person and online educational instruction needs by increasing access to additional training. It will also support updates to specialized critical equipment, such as high-speed internet, to enhance virtual training and enable remote options to support fire safety and compliance with Ontario's Fire Code while minimizing exposure to the virus.

"Our government has listened to fire services across the province and recognizes the impact COVID-19 has had on their operations," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. "This funding will enhance opportunities for training and support fire safety inspections needed to keep our communities safe. We are grateful to these brave, dedicated individuals for their commitment to protecting Ontarians as the fight against COVID-19 continues."