Province Awards $51,000 Fire Safety Grant to Town

HALTON HILLS, ON – The Town of Halton Hills is pleased to announce it has been awarded $51,000 through the Province of Ontario’s Fire Safety Grant Program, following a successful application by the Town of Halton Hills Fire Department.

The funding will directly support initiatives that strengthen fire safety and firefighter health, aligning with provincial standards and best practices. Specifically, the grant will fund programs that comply with NFPA 1851—the Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting, which establishes industry-recommended requirements for managing firefighters’ gear to ensure safety, gear integrity, and advance cancer prevention strategies.

The Town invests heavily to ensure that our firefighters have personal protective equipment to carry out their often-dangerous duties,” said Mayor Ann Lawlor.”  These funds from the province will help test the ongoing performance and reliability of their gear.”

The grant will enable the Halton Hills Fire Department to implement two critical projects:

Annual Gear Inspection & Repair
Firefighter protective gear will be sent to an independent service provider for annual cleaning and inspection, ensuring compliance with NFPA 1851 standards. This process helps maintain gear integrity and minimizes exposure to cancer-causing toxins by keeping bunker gear clean and functional. Regular inspections instill confidence that gear provides the expected level of protection against heat and contaminants.

Particulate Blocking Hood Exchange
Firefighters will receive a clean particulate-blocking hood for each fire response. After initial use, hoods will be replaced during rehab or cylinder exchange, eliminating the need to reuse contaminated gear. Used hoods will be laundered according to NFPA 1851 standards and returned for future use. This program significantly reduces carcinogen absorption through the neck and head, addressing recommendations in the Firefighter Cancer Prevention Checklist.

Both projects represent essential steps toward reducing occupational cancer risks and improving firefighter safety, ensuring compliance with recognized health and safety standards.

“I am proud to be part of a government that supports our first responders. Through this grant we are helping protect the people that protect us. I want to congratulate the Town of Halton Hills on their successful application,” said MPP, Joseph Racinsky.

Learn more about fire safety initiatives on the Town’s website at haltonhills.ca.

From left to right: Councillors Brass, Somerville, Kindbom, Norris, Rob Quinton, Assistant Deputy Chief, Mayor Ann Lawlor, Joseph Racinsky, MPP, Wellington-Halton Hills, Councillors Garneau, Fogal, Martin Mills, Deputy Chief, Fire Chief, Jon Rehill and firefighters. 

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 64,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto. The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.

Visit the Town's website

- 30 -