Ontario Investing to Protect Firefighters in Niagara
December 17, 2025
Wainfleet – As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the Ontario government is protecting firefighters in Niagara by investing $621,751.52 in ten local fires services through the Fire Protection Grant. The funding will help municipal fire departments expand cancer prevention initiatives and improve emergency response to lithium-ion battery related incidents.
“Our brave firefighters in Niagara put their lives at risk every day and at every call,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“Today’s announcement is another example of how our government is putting frontline responders and their families first by supporting protective equipment and technology upgrades that will help protect firefighters.”
MPP Oosterhoff joined Brian Grant, Mayor of the Township of Wainfleet, and Mallory Luey, Chief Administrative Officer of the Township of Wainfleet, along with Morgan Alcock, Fire Chief, and Shawn Schutten, Deputy Fire Chief, at Station 3 of Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services in Wainfleet to announce the funding.
“Firefighters are always there when we need them, running towards danger to protect our homes and our communities,” said Hon. Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario.
“That is why we are doubling this year’s Fire Protection Grant, giving even more firefighters across the province the tools they need to stay safe and effectively respond to life threatening emergencies.”
This funding supports eligible projects including equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment that enhance municipal cancer prevention initiatives; equipment and supplies for lithium-ion battery incident response and minor infrastructure upgrades and modernization, including enhanced broadband and Internet connectivity.
“This funding from the Fire Protection Grant is a vital investment that allows us to modernize our local fire services,” said Brian Grant, Mayor of the Township of Wainfleet.
“By expanding our cancer prevention protocols and equipping our team to handle the unique nature of rural firefighting, we are ensuring that those who run toward danger are better protected.”
“Funding through the Fire Protection Grant will allow our department to invest in critical protective equipment and improved rural broadband connectivity that enhance firefighter safety, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness,” said Morgan Alcock, Fire Chief of Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services.
“These investments will help reduce long-term health risks, strengthen emergency response coordination and ensure our firefighters have dependable access to vital information when operating in remote or challenging environments.”
“This is a very welcome investment in the first responders who put their lives on the line to keep residents across Niagara safe,” said Rob Foster, Acting Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
“Over the past several years, we have learned a lot about the extent of the health risks our firefighters face on the job and I applaud the province for coming to the table with much-needed funding to provide the modern equipment our first responders need to protect themselves against those hazards.”
This year’s Fire Protection Grant will support all 380 municipal fire services in Ontario, helping the approximately 33,000 firefighters who protect Ontario and keep our communities safe.