By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Essex Firefighters will get a second pair of gloves, balaclavas, and helmet liners, thanks to the $24,691.35 received through the Fire Protection Grant.
This will help ensure clean gear for local Firefighters, which then supports cancer prevention initiatives. In providing the spare gear, Firefighters will not have to put on any contaminated gear.
“It is really beneficial for our people, for our staff,” Essex Fire Chief Jason Pillon noted.
Last year, the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal, received Treasury Board approval to put $30 Million through the Fire Protection Grant over three-years to support municipal fire services in acquiring essential equipment and addressing other needs, Pillon explained.
That includes health and safety measures, minor infrastructure improvements, and specialized tools to enhance fire protection services, Pillon told Council at the March 3 meeting.
The first year of the grant, he explained, focused on Firefighter health and safety, particularly cancer prevention and minor infrastructure upgrades.
Pillon noted Essex Fire will use this funding to upgrade its PPE and implement cancer prevention measures. That included enhancing decontamination practices.
“A challenge persists in quickly cleaning all exposed gear, without compromising Firefighter availability,” Pillon explained. “While spare bunker gear is accessible, there are not enough second sets of structural firefighting gloves, balaclavas, and helmet liners, posing a risk of skin contamination.”
While those items can be washed, rapid drying is often not feasible between back-to-back emergencies, Pillon added.
“Providing each Firefighter with a second set of gloves and protective hood will ensure their gear can be washed and decontaminated without affecting their readiness.”
Essex Council approved the 2025 post-budget approval for the Capital Project “Firefighter Cancer Prevention Supplies” in the amount of $24,691.35, to be fully funded from grant funding received from the “The Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal.”
“Money well spent,” Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy noted.
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