Mapleton, Minto firefighters apply for $33,000 cancer prevention grants
MAPLETON – Cancer-related claims from firefighters have skyrocketed in the past few years, according to a report presented to Mapleton and Minto councils on Aug. 11 by Fire Chief Chris Harrow.
That’s why he recommended the municipalities apply for provincial grants to direct towards cancer prevention activities on fire scenes and in stations.
Minto Fire is eligible for a $49,500 grant, and Mapleton Fire is eligible for $33,000.
The grant is funded through Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshall, and includes $16,500 per fire station.
It’s the fourth year the province has offered the grant, and Mapleton has previously used funding to purchase additional bunker gear and decontamination packs to clean gear at the scene, Harrow’s report states.
If this year’s grant is approved, the fire department will put it towards purchasing more bunker gear and particulate-blocking hoods for volunteer firefighters.
Harrow stated in his report that it is becoming more important to have extra sets of gear in stock for firefighters, as gear is frequently laundered or sent away for certification, requiring firefighters to use spare gear.
The newly designed protective hoods, he added, will further block particulate matter, protecting firefighters from cancer-causing materials.
Both councils gave the grant application pre-approval on Aug. 11 “so that we can sign the agreement and accept their money, which I’m pretty sure we all want to do with open arms,” Harrow said.
“It’s never a problem accepting money,” agreed Mapleton Mayor Gregg Davidson.
