Tillsonburg firefighters receive $5,000 grant
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Twenty years ago says Tillsonburg Fire Chief Jeff Smith, firefighters had more of a chance to train on the job.
Today, the volume of fires is decreasing, but due in part to modern construction techniques and materials, their intensity is increasing.
"We have to put more focus on training because of that," he said Wednesday afternoon at Tillsonburg's Fire Station, prior to gratefully accepting a $5,000 contribution from Project Assist, a partnership between the Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council and Union Gas.
The project was initially developed in 2012 and continued this year with $35,000 of support from Union Gas. The money has been divided seven ways via a random draw of all participating volunteer fire departments across Ontario.
"Kind of a shocker," admitted Tillsonburg First Class Firefighter Barry Lasook, an employee of Union Gas who sourced application material from Utility Services Manager (Simcoe Branch) Guy Howell, filled it out and sent it in.
"We were one of the lucky seven to get drawn, right from Dryden all the way here."
The seven winning volunteer fire departments came from Tillsonburg, Zorra, Thames Centre, Edwarsburgh/Cardinal, Wellington North, Kapuskasing and Dryden.
Howell spoke on behalf of Union Gas, quoting statistics revealing there are over 11,000 full-time firefighters in the province, with a majority of over 19,000 volunteer counterparts. In 2011, combined, firefighters responded to 11,501 outdoor structure of vehicular fires.
"It's an amazing story," said Howell. "It just shows how integral the volunteer fire departments across Ontario are to its residents and businesses."
Tillsonburg Mayor John Lessif attended Wednesday's ceremony, praising Union Gas for having a long-standing relationship with the town.
"We appreciate your stepping up and contributing money back into the community."
The $5,000 is earmarked for training purposes and material, says Nelly Green, Fire Protection Advisor, Office Of The Fire Marshal.
"To enhance training would be a good way of saying it," she said. "On top of their regular training budget."
Town council has approved a new level of service for ice and water rescues says Chief Smith, which is one possibility for the Project Assist windfall.
"That is a big focus," he said, adding later, "we are going to be able to expand our new level of service, thanks to this grant."
Training is comparable to computers Smith continued, in the sense it can go from state-of-the-art to outdated comparatively quickly. As a result, the $5,000 is certainly appreciated for its contribution toward contemporary material and technique.
"This is going to be a huge part of getting materials and keeping current."