NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
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Cambridge Fire Department (CFD) has been awarded $48,000 through Ontario’s Fire Protection Grant to support cancer prevention initiatives and enhance firefighter safety. This funding is part of the province’s three-year, $30-million program announced in the 2024 Budget to prioritize firefighter health and safety.
“Protecting the health and safety of our firefighters is one of our top priorities,” said Chief Rob Martin. “This funding allows us to take proactive steps to reduce exposure to harmful contaminants and ensure our firefighters have the tools and equipment they need to stay safe both on and off the job.”
Firefighters face a heightened risk of developing health problems because of exposure to hazardous chemicals and die of cancer at a rate of up to four times higher than the general population. In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer every year and half of those are from Ontario.
The grant fully covers the cost for CFD to purchase specialized equipment to properly decontaminate the personal protective equipment (PPE) that firefighters wear into fires. This will eliminate the double exposure that occurs when they hand clean the gear after a fire and help reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals. Contaminated PPE can expose firefighters to hazardous biological and chemical contaminants and reduce the effectiveness of the protection it is intended to provide.
By securing this grant, CFD can maintain the well-being of its members and long-term public safety without placing additional strain on residents and the City budget.
Special thanks to the team that supported the efforts to get this funding to help ensure Cambridge firefighters are kept safe as they protect the community.
For more information, click here.
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